River Hongbao 2012, Singapore

second day of Chinese New Year, 2012

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It was already the twenty-sixth River Hongbao Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore. But to Flying and yanzi, it was still a brand new experience after the brief encounter 6 years ago. We were both a bit worried of the huge crowd expected at the event, and all excited in ancitipation of the Guangxi-themed activities this year—especially those delicious food brought in from China...

今年的春到河畔已经迈入了第二十六个年头。可是参加这个花灯会对于Flying和yanzi来说却还是六年来的头一遭。既有点儿担心人流太挤，又对这久负盛名年宵活动有所期待——特别是今年的广西主题，听说光小吃就不错的说……

Start of a nice evening from Bras Basah MRT Station—the deepest station in the whole MRT system

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The “River Hongbao” archway
A panoramic view of Marina Bay and The Float@Marina Bay, with the Marina South skyline in the background

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Singapore Flyer ‘in’ a beautiful arch of Walkway Lanterns
This kebab stall in the Food Street enjoyed one of the longest queues of all
One of the Floral Bridges leading into The Float@Marina Bay
The Main Stage was showing Liu Sanjie folk song duel with a large audience gathered around
The Central Arch depicted feisty carps attempting to jump over the mythical Dragon Gate in order to turn into dragons themselves
A crowd was gathering around this giant God of Fortune with reversed umbrellas, all geared up to receive fortune goodies to be dropped from the heaven
Sound of Spring
This façade of Guangxi Stilt House was popular among visitors
The nostalgic sweet art of sugar painting
“Shooting the Lantern Tigers” is a traditional form of riddle-guessing game that is no longer that common in China. But witnessing the enthusiastic crowd queuing up, I could enjoy the fun of solving cryptic riddles, too!
Crystal Qilin

Qilin, a mythical creature from ancient Chinese legends.

Glass bottles are used to make this intricately designed Qilin lantern. The bottles would reflect beautiful lightings at night, which make an even more breathtaking sight. Using glass bottles to make lanterns is one of the three speciality from Chengdu.
Nine-Dragon Wall

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The Nine Sons of the Dragon

Qiúniú: Eldest son of dragon, who loves music. Today, it could still be carved on some exquisite Chinese musical instruments. Yázì: Looks like a wolf. As it loves to battle, hence it is often carved on Chinese swords. Cháofēng: Loves to take risk and look on down from high ground, it is often seen on the edge of ancient Chinese rooftops.

Púláo: Although it is the son of dragon, but it is afraid of the whale. Whenever it is attacked by a whale, it would scream loudly, hence it is now being carved on Chinese big bells. Suānní: Looks like a lion, loves smoke and fire. Hence, it is carved on incense burners in Buddhist temples. Bìxì: Looks like a turtle, with enormous strength.

Bì’àn: Looks like a tiger, with supreme power and help to uphold law and justice. It is often seen on prison doors. Fùxì: Looks like a lion, loves literature and calligraphy, often carved on the sides of pillars and steles. Chīwěn: Dragon head and fish body, loves to look on down from high ground. It is often used as a protection against fire.

b^_^

Fun with pinwheel
A panoramic view of the tranquil Marina Bay and city skyline from Marina Promenade

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Full-height lanterns with traditional Chinese painting along Marina Promenade

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囚牛：爱好音乐，直到今天，一些贵重的胡琴头部至今仍刻有其龙头形象。	睚眦：其形如豺，喜好杀戮。常可在刀柄、刀鞘见其形象。	嘲风：平生好险又好望，殿台角上走兽是它的遗像。
蒲牢：虽为龙子，却害怕庞然大物的鲸。当鲸一发起攻击，它就吓得大声吼叫，因为被刻在洪钟上。	狻猊：形状似狮，喜好烟火。庙中佛座及香炉上雕的兽头即其形象。	赑屃：形状似龟，力大无穷。
狴犴：形状似虎，有威力，又好诉讼。监狱门上刻的或立于狱门的虎头形象。	负屃：头似狮，身似龙，专爱书法，经常被刻在石碑旁。	螭吻：龙首鱼身，喜欢在险要处东张西望，据说雕像有避火的作用。

囚牛：愛好音樂，直到今天，一些貴重的胡琴頭部至今仍刻有其龍头形象。	睚眦：其形如豺，喜好殺戮。常可在刀柄、刀鞘見其形象。	嘲風：平生好險又好望，殿臺角上走獸是它的遺像。
蒲牢：雖為龍子，卻害怕龐然大物的鯨。當鯨一發起攻擊，它就吓得大聲吼叫，因為被刻在洪鐘上。	狻猊：形狀似獅，喜好烟火。廟中佛座及香爐上雕的獸頭即其形象。	贔屭：形狀似龜，力大無窮。
狴犴：形狀似虎，有威力，又好訴訟。監獄門上刻的或立於獄門的虎頭形象。	负屃：头似狮，身似龙，专爱书法，经常被刻在石碑旁。	螭吻：龍首魚身，喜歡在險要處東張西望，据説雕像有避火的作用。

River Hongbao 2012, Singapore

second day of Chinese New Year, 2012

Sound of Spring

Crystal Qilin

Nine-Dragon Wall

The Nine Sons of the Dragon

百鸟争春

百鳥爭春

水晶麒麟

九龙壁

九龍壁

龙生九子

龍生九子

Qiúniú: Eldest son of dragon, who loves music. Today, it could still be carved on some exquisite Chinese musical instruments.	Yázì: Looks like a wolf. As it loves to battle, hence it is often carved on Chinese swords.	Cháofēng: Loves to take risk and look on down from high ground, it is often seen on the edge of ancient Chinese rooftops.
Púláo: Although it is the son of dragon, but it is afraid of the whale. Whenever it is attacked by a whale, it would scream loudly, hence it is now being carved on Chinese big bells.	Suānní: Looks like a lion, loves smoke and fire. Hence, it is carved on incense burners in Buddhist temples.	Bìxì: Looks like a turtle, with enormous strength.
Bì’àn: Looks like a tiger, with supreme power and help to uphold law and justice. It is often seen on prison doors.	Fùxì: Looks like a lion, loves literature and calligraphy, often carved on the sides of pillars and steles.	Chīwěn: Dragon head and fish body, loves to look on down from high ground. It is often used as a protection against fire.