What to expect in the Chinese New Year at Melbourne CBD

White Dragon Dance at Chinatown

 Have you ever explored the city on Chinese New Year? Hmmm, you should it is quite exciting. There are two main celebrations in Melbourne CBD that we went to. One is in Chinatown and the other in Southbank.This was last February 10, 2013. I know it is very late already but oh well let's go with the flow :)

Let me take you to Chinatown first. Chinatown is from Little Bourke St linking Bourke St and Lonsdale St. Here is a sample of the city map. it shows Chinatown

Courtesy of Tripomatic.com

It was late afternoon but still there are a lot of people in the area. So if you brought your kids along make sure that they stay with you because it is crowded. Here is what it would look like. At first it won't be that crowded.

Going in Chinatown

And then as you go in, this is what it would look like.

Getting in there

Now, if you want to follow the dragon, hmmm get ready for this.

The crowd following the yellow dragon

 Most people would just expect something like the dragon dance on the streets. Ok here is what you are expecting in the Chinatown Dragon Dance. Why do they do this? A friend once told me that the dragon gives luck to anyone it visits. So, when a shop owner is visited or a house, they should give something in return :). Well, Chinese tradition dictates that so get ready Chinese shop owners

Hmmm, I wonder if they choose who they go to?

Check it out he is actually smiling

Anyway,  this festival has performances in Chinese on stage. They have put on a small stage at the center of Chinatown. Here are some photos. I cannot understand most of it so I didn't stay long around here :) Maybe next time I come I will study Mandarin and then I can understand them LOL.

Chinese Choir Singing

Chinese Dancers

Now, the most awaited part of the journey is of course, the food. I love eating and well, this is one of the best things in life. Exploring what is in there and tasting it. Most of the stalls have food that ranges from $5 to $10 depending on what it is. Here are some photos of the interesting ones that caught my eye.

Yummy Squidballs with sauce

Chinese Dessert, I forgot the name but it is good

 These one has different flavours that you can choose from plain salted, Cheese and BBQ Flavour. The line was so long that I have to get two as soon as I get there.

Potato Spirals

Now do you want some??? It is so good :)

 I bought tender Jerkies here. You have to put it in the fridge if you are not going to eat it straight away and reheat it. It is yummy as well. Took a few home, my housemate says it was really good for a jerky made in Australia (She is chinese by the way)

Beef and Pork Jerky

 The next one is sort of bland, but I guess it has to be that way. It is just ok. I will give it 2/5. I forgot the name of the dish.

This is egg with tofu and other stuff.

 LOL, after all that eating need to exercise and empty our stomachs. We decided to walk from Chinatown to Southbank

So based on googlemaps.com.au, it would take you 23mins to get there but there is another option. You can always get the tram. You can get Route 16 (goes from Bourke St Mall to Southbank Blvd then walk from there to go to Crown or Route 8 (Bourke St Mall to Southbank Blvd). Then from there again walk to Crown. If you are not a fan of walking go down at Collins St (Both trams) and wait for Tram 109 or Tram 96, it will take you straight to Melb Exhibition Center and Crown itself.

Anyway, so what to expect in Southbank. Cute designs of Chinese Chandelier hand in the area with different stalls from accessories to food. Here are some photos;

The Southbank

Here is what you would expect in Southbank beside CROWN Casino 

That's me trying on a hat from the stalls

Hats for the New Year

Cooking Demonstration at Southbank

 

Sample of crystal for good fortune

The Crown is well-known for its hourly firing pillars. Picture Perfect Capture of one timely fired up and the crowd at Crown

Hourly Fire Pillar at Crown

If you were a fan of the Christmas show at Crown, they feature different designs depending on the occassion. This time since it was the year of the snake then they had featured a golden snake that has a light show as well. That is inside the building

Picture of the snake as it descends downwards for the light show

Closer look at it

Design near the Casino

There are various performances around the riverwalk from Southbank blvd to crown. Here are some of the highlights.

Tai Chi Masters showing their skills

Crown's own version of the Dragon Dance

Now, here is one amazing performance that I would never ever forget. This couple is awesome. They started juggling and then went straight to acrobatics.

The couple juggling

Here is the acrobatic stunt

And of course, what is a new year without fireworks display. As the clock struck midnight here they come :)

Fireworks at South Yarra

If you are interesteed to see more photos of the event. Click on this link CHINESE NEW YEAR 2013 COMPLETE ALBUM.

Now if you like what you saw on this article. I invite you to the next Chinese New Year Festival. Hmmm, I might go to another place to check out what is it like there but I had fun at the celebration in Melbourne. I hope you enjoy it too. Cheers guys :)