Chinese New Year can be said to be the Asian equivalent of the Year-end or New Year celebrations that is typically celebrated in western culture. In fact, in terms of tradition, Chinese New Year is as joyous an occasion for this section of the orient as December 31st and January 1st is for those living in Europe, US, Australia, New Zealand and other countries that have taken after the west, such as Singapore.
Like the western New Year festivities on December 31 and January 1, Chinese New Year also signifies the end of another year gone by and the ringing in of the new year of the Chinese calendar. However, where the two differ is that in contrast to the New Year celebrations of those in the west, Chinese New Year indicates the Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, as well. Twice the joy and twice the fun perhaps.
Each of the Chinese New Years are allocated an animal of their Zodiac. In the current year, 2024, the animal is the Dragon. In Chinese folklore a Dragon represents luck, good fortune, prosperity and truth. To those born in the year of the Dragon, it also signifies that he or she is likely to be a peace-loving person, as well as generous and patient.
The western and eastern new year also share another commonality. Both festivities, their religious connotations notwithstanding, are generally geared around the family. Enjoying meals together with family, in particular. As it happens, food and drink play a major role in both of the holidays.
In view of the Chinese-majority Singapore population, Singapore tends to be at its quietest during Chinese New Year. Most retail outlets and businesses shut for at least the first few days of the celebrations.
In fact, this is part of the reason countless Singaporeans choose to travel overseas during the Chinese New Year week. In essence, during this time, and pretty much the only time of the year, Singapore Inc. grinds to a screeching halt.
Each Chinese New Year, it appears more and more of these holiday-makers, opt to visit Tioman Island. And why not? After all, in most cases, Chinese New Year coincides with sunny skies, cooler weather and a fresh breeze. This, as well as all its other wonders, makes Tioman a justified holiday destination of choice.
The flip-side of these increasing numbers of vacationers traveling to Tioman Island is that capacity may be a problem. Since a good proportion of the Malaysian Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year by going to Tioman too, it stands to reason that booking early is recommended. This applies to transport to Mersing, the ferry to Tioman, as well as accommodation in Tioman..
Bottom line: If you are looking forward to spending some quality holiday time in Pulau Tioman during Chinese New Year, we advise booking your ferry seats and hotel room as early as possible. Keep in mind also that the fresh breeze may reduce ferry availability, warranting early booking even more.
Lastly, just for your general information, Chinese New Year weekend this year, 2024, starts on February 5 and includes February 6 and 7. That being said, expect most revelers to take leave a couple of additional days of on both ends of the festivities.
Gong Xi Fa Chai!!
For those looking to go to Mersing Harbour Centre by bus or coach during Chinese New Year, click
bus to Mersing to book your bus or coach tickets.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to take a private vehicle, i.e. a taxi, to Mersing, you can book your taxi
here.
We wish all travelers a resounding Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Lastly, one final point to note if you're going to Tioman by ferry. Nowadays, given the ever-increasing numbers of accommodations on the island, it's advisable to keep in mind that there now are more rooms available in Tioman than there are ferry seats to Tioman. This discrepancy goes up on days the ferry is limited, due to winds and tides. So it's not that the ferry can do more frequent crossings but won't. Instead, it's because the ferry is physically unable to pass in and out of the Mersing harbour during low tide and/or periods of high winds and waves.
In view of this, we wish to stress the importance of booking the ferry early, as well as arriving at Mersing Harbour Centre with adequate time to spare. Better safe than sorry. There's nothing worse than being stranded in Mersing Harbour Centre with a hotel room booking in hand but no ferry seat to take you to that room.
Book your ferry tickets now.