 Chinese New Year, Singapore 2010
 Singapore Chinatown gets ready to welcome the year of the Tiger, Chinese New Year 2010.
Like in previous years, Singapore Chinatown is transformed by lights and New Year decorations to become a big New Year market. This year, the theme is plum blossoms and tigers along with a giant God of w ealth.
In the tourist area around the Tooth Relic Temple, outdoor stores have started business offering flowers, mandarin oranges, food, New Year goodies and ornaments. New Year cards, red packets are also popular with visitors. At the outdoor open stage, there are performances for visitors.
The Tooth Relic Temple, probably the most important attraction in Chinatown, is also decorated with lanterns to welcome local devotees, visitors and tourists. They have also announced their Chinese New Year programs to welcome the Tiger.
Apart from the official stretch of Singapore Chinatown, there are several other New Year markets in the Chinatown area. They offer more or less the same items and also have auctions where audiences can bid for art works and art pieces.
Hugh crowds and long queues always form around heritage brands like Tai Thong pastry shop and all the bakkua shops. Products from these brands are highly coveted gift items for family and friends and many people don’t mind queuing for hours for the chance to buy them. To be fair to customers, some shops may limit the quantity customers can buy.
As usual, the crowds get heavier towards the Chinese New Year and peak in the first few hours of the New Year. The stalls slash prices very heavily to get rid of stocks and to close by the deadline stipulated in their stall rental contract.
In the stall holder’s favor is the common custom among many families to visit Singapore Chinatown after their reunion dinners to join in the fun and maybe pick up some nice bargains.
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