Activity Guide

Things to do in KL with kids during Chinese New Year

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jan 23, 2020

Gong Xi Fa Cai! With Chinese New Year break just around the corner, parents are currently planning to fill it with fun activities for their kids. There are so many activities that you could choose from to spend time with your family especially if you decide to stay in KL during this break. 

Apart from taking a half-day tour around KL, visiting museums and theme parks, or even watching movies at the cinema, you can try something different like watching lion dance, bursting firecrackers and gazing at the amazing CNY decorations everywhere, especially malls. 

So, here is a list of CNY special activities you can plan in KL with your kids during this Chinese New Year break.

Visit Petaling Street Chinatown

There is no other place that screams China better than Petaling Street. Dubbed as Chinatown by the locals, this is one of the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year with your kids. You can visit and marvel at decades-old Chinese temples that are highly decorated, participate in the prayers and watch the famous lion dances. Like any other festive season, fireworks are also the staple part of the celebration where you can catch the sky illuminate with colours.

Catch Chinese New Year Decorations in Shopping Malls

Shopping malls in KL are well-known for their beautiful and over-the-top decorations during festive seasons and Chinese New Year is no exception. Colourful photo spots, games and merchant kiosks are some of the essential elements that are parts of the decoration itself. Some shopping malls may organise events happening during this Chinese New Year such as Chinese acrobatics, traditional lion dance performances and ‘ang pow’ giveaways, so be sure not to miss it.

Visiting Temples

Among the oldest and largest temples in Southeast Asia, Thean Hou Temple is located along Jalan Klang Lama and is also known as the Temple of the Goddess Heaven. One week before the Chinese New Year celebrations began, the entire building will be enshrouded in a warm, red glow as they light up thousands of lanterns and set in the temple’s open ground. Activities and performances that you can enjoy as family includes magic and circus shows, calligraphy and of course, lion dance!

Another temple that is worth visiting during this Chinese New Year is of course, Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple. Located in the quaint town of Jenjarom, it is well-known for its annual Chinese New Year Lantern and Floral Festival. The 16 acres’ temple ground will entirely be illuminated by lanterns, flotillas and digital lights that can easily make your kids excited the entire time.

Go Out for A Traditional ‘Yee Sang’ Meal

It’s not a proper Chinese New Year celebration if you didn’t go out for traditional ‘yee sang’ meal! Also known as ‘yusheng’, ‘yee sang’ is a Cantonese-style raw fish salad. It consists of strips of raw fish (sometimes salmon), shredded vegetables, sauces, and condiments, ‘yee sang’ also symbolizes abundance, prosperity and vigour. You can also teach your kids the history of how ‘yee sang’ came to be when you go out for dinner with your family.

So, take advantage of the empty streets and have a fun long weekend with your family right in KL. Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!