Happy Chinese New Year of Horse 2014
Today is the 4th day of Chinese New year of Horse 2014. I would like to wish all travelers Gong Xi Fa Cai ! 恭喜发财! This is the most popular phrase to greet people during the first 15 days of lunar new year. It means Happy Prospering, or literally “Congratulations on getting more wealth”, which is surely what most people dream of.
The second greeting phrase for this new year is Xin Nian Kuai Le, “新年快乐”. This is the most common, suit to all, greeting phrase. It simply says Happy New Year.
On top of other Malaysian attractions, Chinese New Year is one of the best festive season to visit Malaysia. Colorful new year decorations and lighting can be seen everywhere and celebration with dragon dancing is being held during this period in especially Buddhist temples as well as some shopping malls. For Buddhism devotees or travelers with religious interest, you can join other like-minded devotees in Buddhist temples, praying their gods and goddess and soak in the smell of incense that filled the temples.
Having said that, try to avoid touching down KLIA airport on the eve of Chinese New Year each year. Traffics to and from airport on this day will be extremely busy and tickets for all modes of transportation to all destination would be fully sold out, thanks to local people who are rushing back to their home towns for this festive season.
Otherwise, the first 3 days are the best time to wander the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Offices are close and employees are all on holidays, so the traffic would be swift, and tourist destinations in the city will see less visitors. The only catch could be the closure of some Chinese owned shops and restaurants on the 1st and 2nd day of the Chinese New Year.
On the fourth day of the new year, local people will be coming back to the cities as most businesses will resume work on the next day. Therefore, avoid traveling between cities on this day when trains and highways are going to be be extremely crowded.
I’m now celebrating Chinese New Year of Horse 2014 in Malaysia and am now in Ipoh visiting my friends and off course enjoying my favorite Ipoh local foods. I have took some new year decoration images of this year which are featured in my story of Chinese New Year decoration images.
After the 5th day of this festive season, Travel Feeder will resume to share more travel stories around world. Until then, Happy Chinese New Year of Horse 2014 and Gong Xi Fa Cai !! –Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
