Chinese New Year in Koh Samui is a very important occasion for many. Celebrated by locals and foreigners alike, Chinese New Year celebrations on the island are a much-anticipated occasion that underscores the island’s position as a cultural melting pot that infuses Chinese, Thai, and Malay culture into a unique identity that forms the core of Koh Samui. Read on as we take you on a tour of the ways you can enhance your Chinese New Year cultural experiences in Koh Samui, and why Chaweng Regent is your best option to welcome the Spring Festival.
Chinese New Year Cultural Experiences in Koh Samui
Chinese New Year Cultural Experiences in Koh Samui are some of the most vibrant displays of celebration by the island’s Chinese community. If want to experience authentic Samui Chinese culture and see how they’ve left a lasting legacy on the island, here are some ways to expand your horizons during Chinese New Year in Koh Samui.
Chaweng Chinatown
One of the best ways to enjoy your Chinese New Year cultural experiences in Koh Samui is to visit Chaweng Chinatown. This cornerstone of the island is a medley of the Chinese, Thai, and Malay influences that formed the unique culture of Koh Samui. From authentic delicacies to local landmarks with stories to tell, Chaweng Chinatown has much to offer visitors.
Samui Chinese Cultural Center
Also known as Dusit Dhewa, the Samui Chinese Cultural Center is a great way to enhance your Chinese New Year in Koh Samui. While you can easily explore the Chinese community’s legacy in the city, Dusit Dhewa is a snapshot of history and highlights not just their achievements, but also how they added to the cultural fabric of Koh Samui.
Lamai Chinese Temple
Also known as Guan-Yu Koh Samui Shrine, this shrine is dedicated to the legendary founder of the Shu Han Kingdom. Standing 16 meters, this massive shrine is a popular place for those with Samui Chinese New Year celebration plans. This temple is culturally significant to the Chinese community of Samui but has also drawn in tourists, who find its intricately designed interior breathtaking. Among the various cultural relics in the shrine are Chinese calligraphy, prayer banners, and prayer drums. Lamai Chinese Temple isn’t just a great way to enhance your Chinese New Year cultural experience in Koh Samui, it’s also a testament to the lasting legacy of Koh Samui’s Chinese community.
Wat Plai Laem
Temples are some of the best ways to get a better understanding of Chinese culture in Koh Samui, and Wat Plai Laem offers yet another way to give you a glimpse of Thai-Chinese cultural beliefs. Chinese New Year celebrations in Samui also involve devotionals to Guanyin; also known as the Goddess of Mercy. For tourists looking to experience Chinese New Year in Koh Samui, this temple’s history stretches back hundreds of years, along with the techniques used to construct it. Visitors making donations may feed the fish in the temple’s lakes.
Chinese New Year Parades
By far one of the best ways to enhance your Chinese New Year celebrations in Samui, parades during Chinese New Year are one of the most vibrant and expressive ways that Chinese communities celebrate their culture. One of the most iconic symbols of these parades is the dragon dance, which always draws an enthusiastic crowd of partygoers. With processions of elaborately dressed performers and floats, these parades are among the most anticipated for anyone who enjoys enhancing their Chinese New Year cultural experiences in Samui.
Where Should You Stay During Chinese New Year in Samui?
Chinese New Year celebrations in Samui are as good of a reason as any to stay on this wonderful island. While there are many places you can stay, Chaweng Regent Beach Resort is conveniently located on the pristine sands of Chaweng Beach and isn’t far away from the festivities. With seasonal discounts available, you will surely enjoy a blissful Chinese New Year cultural experience in Samui.
