Celebrate A Colourful and Festive Lunar New Year in Indonesia: Where to Go and What to Do

So long Earth Pig year, welcome Metal Rat year!

The Lunar New Year will fall on 25 January 2020, and with much Chinese cultural heritage scattered across the country, Indonesia is the right place to celebrate the festivities of Lunar New Year. There are so many destinations in Indonesia for you to share some wonderful moments with family, and some of the best ones that are highly recommended are in Bali, Jakarta, Bintan, and Manado.

Pamper Your Palates in Bali

The Island of the Gods has several restaurants that are suitable for you to make the most out of Lunar New Year moments. Looking for some warm and laid-back ambiance? Ru Yi, which means ‘perpetual happiness’, is a Chinese fine dining restaurant that offers premium Chinese delicacies such as the rare and expensive Bird's Nest Soup, Sea Cucumber, and the famous Abalone Dish. Designed like a mini Chinatown, you can find this restaurant in Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas & Spa.

For a more luxurious and intercontinental sensation, you can also visit Ji Restaurant in Canggu, which combines the interior design of old Chinese and old Balinese culture. The menu is inspired by old cooking traditions from Japan and other East Asian countries with “fusion sushi” as its signature dish.

There are still many more restaurants for you to explore with different atmospheres and menu offered, such as Table8 at Mulia Hotel in Nusa Dua, Ah Yat Abalone at Rimba Jimbaran, or Metis Bali in Kerobokan.

Explore Jakarta: The Capital of Wonders

It’s always going to be a lively Lunar New Year in Jakarta. You will not only be impressed by many impromptu Barongsai performances but also discounts from shopping malls and special menus from the restaurants. An authentic experience of enjoying Chinese cuisine will also be offered by many fine-dining restaurants in Jakarta, such as Rasa Restaurant at Ayana Midplaza and Jia at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta.

If you’re looking for a modern rendition of Cantonese cuisine, head straight to Pearl Chinese Restaurant at JW Marriot Hotel, where you will be entertained by its unique and cheerful-looking menu. You can also visit Li Feng at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for more fun twists of Cantonese modern dishes or you can feel the festivities of Lunar New Year while having dinner in The Signature at Hotel Kempinski Jakarta.

Dinner Together in Bintan

Chinese New Year festival in Bintan will always be unique, warm, and joyful because the destination features the figure of Cai Shen, the God of Prosperity.

Besides the glorious festival that you can find in Lagoi Bay Plaza, you can also bring your family to many restaurants here with such high reputations, such as The Kelong Seafood Restaurant in Bintan Resort or The Poolside in Nirwana Gardens. Looking for more comforting and quiet vibes for your Lunar New Year celebration? Head to Nelayan in Bintan Lagoon Resort and enjoy a more laid-back celebration on its beautiful beach.

Celebrating The Fun Lunar New Year in Manado

Lunar New Year celebration in the city of Manado, the capital North Sulawesi Province, will last for two weeks. Here, the festival will not only feature distinct Chinese art and culture, but it will also be combined with local traditions of the Minahasa, Sangihe, and the Bolaang Mongondow ethnic groups living in this region.

Festivities and also the event of communal prayers will be centered at the Ban Hin Kiong Temple, which is the oldest temple in the eastern part of Indonesia. Located at Jalan D.I. Panjaitan in Manado’s Chinatown, this temple was built during the Qing Dynasty in China (1644-1911). During the festival, there will be mass lion dances (Barongsai), dragon dances, a street-food festival featuring mouth-watering Chinese food and Manado’s traditional food, and a whole lot more.

Have you decided on which part of Indonesia would you visit for a more wonderful experience of the Lunar New Year celebration? Book your trip and plan your itinerary to make the best out of it and have a blasting Lunar New Year 2020!