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More S'poreans spending CNY in China, Taiwan, HK
Unlike other married couples during Chinese New Year, administrative officer Leow Khar Luang and her husband will not be stressing over how much money to give in hongbao. They are going on an eight-day tour to China. The couple, who have two adult children, will leave on Jan 24 and spend the first six days of Chinese New Year in Beijing. Says Madam Leow, 55, who will be having a small customary reunion dinner with relatives in advance: "This is the only time of the year for me to take long leave and I want to know more about my Chinese roots." Similarly, during the lead-up to Chinese New Year, marketing executive Elsie Goh will not be doing last-minute shopping for new clothes and bak kwa. The 30-year-old will be holidaying in Hong Kong and Macau with two colleagues for five days. She returns only on the first day of Chinese New Year. Ms Goh, a Malaysian living here, says: "I do not have many relatives in Singapore and the shops are closed during this period anyway. "Also, I find it quite pointless to go all over Singapore visiting people. You do the same things in every home - eat, drink and sit around. It is better to go travelling." A check with travel agents shows that popular destinations during the Chinese New Year period include China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Japan. At Chan Brothers, a spokesman says its Chinese New Year bookings are up 10 per cent compared to last year. CTC Holidays says bookings to the four destinations have increased by up to 15 per cent over last year. But why are predominantly Chinese places such as China, Taiwan and Hong Kong more popular during this time? Won't the shops be shut for their owners to celebrate the festive season, like in Singapore? Apparently not. A spokesman for ASA Holidays, who says China and Taiwan are its hot spots this period, explains: "It is the best time (for visiting) as the atmosphere in places such as China, Taiwan and Hong Kong will be incredible, with fireworks and festive night markets among other activities." Director of the China National Tourist Office, Mr Zhu Qingrui, says: "In China, it is the opposite of Singapore. Shops and businesses stay open to take full advantage of the festive mood among consumers. This period is the best time to go shopping for bargains in Chinese cities." Japan, on the other hand, is popular because this period gives visitors a winter experience. Civil servant Patricia Lo will be going to Kyushu on a seven-day tour with her six-year-old daughter. "If you want scenery and heritage, Japan is always a great place," says the 39-year-old, who travels every Chinese New Year. For Ms Goh, the Hong Kong-Macau trip is her first vacation during the festive period. If she wants to have more Chinese New Year holidays in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, she will have to convince her parents these destinations are more exciting at this time of the year. She says: "My parents will not be pleased if I try to skip it every year." What's available Some Chinese New Year tour packages still available: TAIWAN - Three-day Taiwan Explorer from $899 (SA Tours, tel: 6536-6633) - Seven-day Passionate Taiwan from $1,279 (SA Tours, tel: 6535-8911) - Six-day Prosperous Chinese New Year in Taiwan from $1,217 (ASA Holidays, tel: 6303-5303) - Eight-day Taiwan New Discovery from $1,723 (CTC Holidays, tel: 6536-3995) CHINA - Seven-day Colour Guizhou/Zhangjiajie/ Guilin or Kunming/Dali/Lijiang, from $1,418 (ASA Holidays, tel: 6303-5333) - Six-day Greatest Of Shenzhen & Macau from $1,198 (Chan Brothers, tel: 6438-8880) JAPAN - Five-day Okinawa Special from $2,017 (CTC Holidays) - Seven-day Hokkaido Winter Special from $2,664 (CTC Holidays) |
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