To welcome the year of the Dragon, Malacca Chinatown has a stunning red dragon in midair above a road junction. Cleverly installed, the dragon appears to be floating and swirling in the air and visible even from a distance.
So stunning was this display that almost all visitors will stop to admire the dragon, take pictures and capture the dragon from various vantage points.
For the lucky visitors arriving at the right place and the right time, the dragon even spews water towards a small body of water. In fact, the dragon does so every half an hour for a few minutes.
To complete the picture, a giant red packet proclaimed as “the largest red envelope in Malaysia” doubled as a backdrop for the dragon.
Chinese New Year in Malacca Chinatown
This is just the start of what Malacca Chinatown has to offer. The end of the streets was framed with red New Year archways while streets were decorated with lanterns and flags.
Adding to this color were the various clan association’s New Year decorations. Not the usual banners or lanterns, many clan associations installed entire panels of decorations covering the whole building. One clan association even had panels decorated with two dimension dragons of various colors.
Meanwhile, fire crackers being easily available added much excitement to the festive atmosphere as well as the thick layer of red carpet accumulated from wrappers of exploded firecrackers.
Pineapple tarts
Along the charming old streets, all sorts of New Year goods were available and popular among shoppers are Malacca’s famous pastries especially the pineapple tarts.
Size seemed to matter a lot as you can also see a giant pineapple tart crowned as the largest in Malaysia on 15 July 2011. It is on permanent display at the shop offering pineapple tarts of more moderate sizes for the Chinese New Year.
Temple events
Temples along the main and side streets were open to devotees and especially crowded towards the New Year and during the Yuan Xiao period.
Talking about Yuan Xiao, this year’s Yuan Xiao will be a spectacular one for Malacca will witness a Wangkang event to cleanse the city of negative elements.
Organized only upon divine instruction, this year’s Wangkang festival will be the fifth time in 150 years. Although not part of Yuan Xiao celebration, it will no doubt add it the excitement.
It is a wonderful start to the auspicious year of the Dragon.
Chinese New Year in 
To welcome the year of the Dragon, 
