Chinatown Street Light Up (Day Time) for Lunar New Year 2021 - Year of The Ox / Bull @ Singapore #yearoftheox #chinatownstreetlightup2021

It didn't seem that long ago when I blogged about the Chinatown light up for the Year of the Rat in 2020 and while it was expected that the festivities for the upcoming Year of the Ox would be cancelled; I was glad that the light up was given the green-lightb to proceed! 

Presenting to you; the charging ox! Photographs shown in this post were taken on 29 January 2021; apology for the delay as I had been so busy with baking.

Going up to my favorite spot to take pictures of the centrepiece stationed between Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road. Want to know where? Click here! 

There's a very good view on top too and I am surprised this spot hasn't been actively sourced as a backdrop for filming. For all you know, it could be become a famous spot like the rooftop location used for the Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affairs".

Anyway, the ox again. I think it would be more beautiful at night with the lights glowing from the inside. Note: the authorities have decided to switch off the lights for the decorations last weekend and on lunar new year's eve, in order to discourage people from flocking there and increasing the risk of transmission. 

Old buildings juxtaposed with new ones. 

10-m tall golden ox, standing on piles of gold coins! Prosperity is always a key highlight for the Chinese but this year's theme also focus on good health and happiness, especially the former given the unrelenting pandemic.

Ground level again; with across the streets, overhanging decorations that were customary four-word greetings we often dispensed to family members, friends and guests during the lunar new year; for example, happy new year, may all your wishes come true, may there be surplus every year, in Chinese of course. 

Close-up of the muscular ox! 

Checking out the sex of the ox; guess it's neither male or female since there wasn't any sign of the essential organs to determine. Maybe our society is still too conservative. Whatever the case, that water wheel did turn and it symbolizes the flow of wealth.

A few of the "eighty-eight ox lanterns illuminating Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road", surrounded by gold coins, gold ingots, firecrackers and trees adorned with golden mandarin oranges! 

Poor chap got bird shit on its nose. 

Frankly, whoever thought of choosing the cross-junction to place the centerpiece was absolutely brilliant; it's like the ox had a clear path to forge ahead and rid the pandemic so that the country can proceed on its journey to economic recovery! 

Photos from the passage bridge connecting both Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road, including the rest of the "eighty-eight ox lanterns". 

Unlike past years, barricades were put up to prevent congregation of visitors. It's actually quite sad since many people used to rest at the pavilions / stone benches or take photographs with the decorations. No choice since it's unprecedented time; a sentence heard many times during this pandemic.

Iconic photograph from the bridge overlooking  Pagoda Street. It wasn't as crowded then but pictures / videos of the same area taken these few days were showing quite a lot of people, resulting in the authorities closing down the exit / entrance to the Chinatown train station.

First time ever; no queue outside Lim Chee Guan when it's so close to lunar new year! Turned out the popular bak kwa shop only allowed people to order online although I was recently updated via Facebook that they would resume shop purchases from today, while stocks last! 

More photographs of the oxen and lanterns along New Bridge road. As in the case for the past decade, "the lanterns were designed in collaboration with 12 undergraduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)". 

Departing from previous years, I don't remember reading about any major negativity pertaining to the designs this year. Personally, I thought the designs for the oxen were pretty realistic. 

In past years, temple street would be the main venue for the bazaar, with tentage lining up on both sides of the road. With the bazaar canned due to the pandemic, it's just a normal street with parked vehicles. Well, at least we have a closer look at what the shops are selling! 

Cute grandpa-granddaughter lanterns along Smith Street.

Even though the bazaar was called off, the festive atmosphere was still evident as some of the physical shophouses would usually convert their retail space to market festival items like decorations and food associated with the lunar new year. 

Some took it a step further by leasing out their spaces to operators that used to rent the stalls at the bazaar, selling stuff like the dried persimmons, waxed products! I was so afraid it would be harder for me to get stuff like king kong peanuts, phoenix eye melon seeds etc but it didn't seem to be the case! 

Prices for the peanuts and melon seeds appeared somewhat similar to last year and I am guessing they would start dropping in the coming few days as we inch closer towards lunar new year.

Another adorable lantern in the likeness of the god of fortune!

Street view for Trengganu Street and Sago Street. Again, not as crowded on a Friday afternoon; albeit views that taken late January and not last Friday. 

Good luck knots and they took up almost the whole shop! Were such knots popular in the past as I don't remember there were that many kinds?! 

Tai Chong Kok - in the past, you would see me haul back at least two of their delicious nian gao back for my mom. Not anymore as there's now a branch conveniently located at Yishun! 

Love seeing those cute red packets with unique designs! Nowadays, they are no longer limited to that rectangular shape although the government is trying to encourage us to consider e-red-packets! Hello, that kind no feel leh! 

Traditional paper cutouts were not that uncommon in Chinatown but this shop stood out since the designs were not conventional; some even featured elements of Christianity.

Nursery; even I was tempted to get a few pots for my house! On second thought, maybe not as I would likely add on to the number of 'victims' killed due to my lack of a green thumb.

3D art! Pity I was alone.

South Bridge Road, running parallel to Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road, was adorned with lanterns of the 12 zodiac animals! Aren't they ultra cute with their round bodies?! 

Other end of Temple Street - refreshing sight with the parked cars. Of course I have seen the street before without the tentages but maybe due to the upcoming lunar new year, it's a rather depressed feeling as the street totally lacked the bustle of previous years without the festive street bazaar.

Something positive as a result of the bazaar that's not taking place; revealing the impressive wall mural that showcase a Chinese opera! 

Ox plushies! Just wondering if Jovyn would demand for one if she were with me. I recall one incident for which she cried for a new soft toy sold at the CNY bazaar even though her parents were adamant she had enough at home. Guess who came to her rescue? My mom, her grandmother! 

Found the pinwheels from Wong Tai Sin temple in Hong Kong.

For your viewing pleasure as there were just too many photographs taken! I think the key message is that Chinatown is definitely not "dead" with the bazaar being cancelled. There are still plenty of avenues for you to get your hands on the things needed for Chinese New Year.

Last look of the zodiac animals from the start of South Bridge Road. Should I make a trip in the next few days to take photographs of the lanterns at night? 

 

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Period for the Street Light-Up 

Until 12 March 2021

Website 

https://chinatownfestivals.sg/programmes/