Every Chinese New Year, shopping malls across Malaysia try to outdo one another. Bigger lanterns, grander installations, louder performances. Impressive, yes, but step outside the atriums and a different celebration unfolds.
The real heartbeat of the season beats in Malaysia’s Chinatowns: heritage temples scented with incense, red lanterns swaying above bustling alleys, and festive energy that feels raw, communal, and alive. Century-old temples stand shoulder to shoulder with quirky cafés, every corner telling a story of resilience, where tradition meets celebration in ways no mall can replicate.
This festive season, redBus invites you to experience Chinese New Year through these authentic Chinatown moments across Malaysia. Each offering a different rhythm, mood, and way to welcome the Year of the Horse.
1. Where Chinese New Year Starts Before Sunrise – Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur
Nearest Bus Terminal: Terminal Bersepadu Selatan ~15km away
On most days, Petaling Street is loud, busy, and unapologetically touristy. But during Chinese New Year, it changes pace and early risers are rewarded.
The area is best explored on foot, given the heavy traffic that often defines Kuala Lumpur’s busiest tourist spots. What sets Petaling Street apart is its layered character: narrow lanes buzzing with traders, hidden alleys adorned with murals, and culinary gems like wantan mee or tau fu fa that locals swear by. Here, commerce, culture, and creativity collide, offering a living showcase of Kuala Lumpur’s true spirit.
2. When a Heritage Street Turns into a Festival – Jonker Street, Melaka
Nearest Bus Stop: Malacca Sentral Bus Terminal ~6km away
If there’s one place where Chinese New Year spills seamlessly into the night, it’s Jonker Street. As evening approaches, historic shophouses glow under strings of red lanterns, and the entire street transforms into a moving feast.
Locals usually arrive just before sunset, early enough to beat the tour buses, late enough for the night market to awaken. The air fills with the aroma of satay celup, putu piring, Nyonya kuih, and festive treats like pineapple tarts and bak kwa. Among the must-try dishes is Nyonya laksa, a rich, coconut-based noodle soup that blends Chinese and Malay flavours, you can find it at Jonker 88, 486 Baba Low, or Cottage Spices Nyonya Restaurant, all featured on the redBus Food Map for those looking to explore the best local bites.
By nightfall, Jonker Street becomes a sensory overload; flavours, languages, laughter, and lights layered against Melaka’s UNESCO-listed backdrop. For many, this is Chinese New Year at its most vibrant: social, indulgent, and joyfully loud.
Jonker Street truly comes alive from Friday through Sunday nights, so plan your trip accordingly to catch the famous night market at its bustling best.
3. Chinese New Year Away from the Rush – Kampung Cina, Terengganu
Nearest Bus Stop: MBKT Kuala Terengganu Bus Terminal, ~2km away
Not all Chinese New Year moments are bustling. In Terengganu’s Kampung Cina, the celebrations unfold gently, guided by history rather than crowds. This 300-year-old riverside settlement tells its story through pastel shophouses, wooden doors carved with intricate details, and murals that trace the town’s trading roots.
During the festive period, residents take time to visit the Ho Ann Kiong Temple, anchoring the season in quiet rituals passed down through generations.
Visitors often linger here, stopping by traditional medicine shops, chatting with shop owners, or enjoying Peranakan-influenced delicacies at an unhurried pace. Kampung Cina offers a different kind of Chinese New Year moment: reflective, intimate, and deeply rooted in community.
4. A Playful Take on Tradition – Kuching’s Chinatown, Sarawak
Nearest Bus Stop: Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal, ~12km away
Kuching’s Chinatown greets visitors with its most iconic landmark, the giant white cat statue on Padungan Road, a playful nod to the city’s feline namesake. From there, you can wander down Carpenter Street and the Main Bazaar, where colourful shophouses line the streets and hint at stories from the past. The area is filled with temples, adding quiet moments of reflection, while the streets themselves buzz with a mix of traditional craft shops, local eateries, and modern cafés. It’s a place where heritage meets playfulness, giving visitors a taste of Kuching’s culture, charm, and everyday rhythms.
Travel tip: Carpenter Street is best explored in the late afternoon, when the shops are open and the atmosphere is lively but not yet crowded, perfect for picking up souvenirs before heading to the waterfront for dinner.
5. Celebrating Chinese New Year Without a Main Street – George Town, Penang
Nearest Bus Stop: Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, ~12km away
Penang’s Chinatown doesn’t sit neatly on one street, it weaves through George Town’s heritage lanes, clan houses, and waterfront jetties. Chinese New Year here is less about one focal point and more about discovery.
Armenian Street, Lebuh Chulia, and Campbell Street reveal century-old shophouses, clan associations, and temples that anchor the island’s Chinese heritage. Food is part of the ritual: char kway teow sizzling at hawker stalls, dim sum breakfasts, and traditional pastries from family-run bakeries.
Beyond the food, ornate landmarks like Khoo Kongsi and the clan jetties at Weld Quay offer glimpses into Penang’s trading past. This season, redBus is also running a special promotion. Use code RBPENANG and enjoy savings of up to 20% on your Penang getaway, making it easier to explore the island’s many festive corners.
One Festive Season, Many Ways to Celebrate
Malaysia’s Chinatowns show that Chinese New Year isn’t a single experience, it’s a collection of moments shaped by place, people, and pace. From sunrise rituals and night markets to riverside reflections and heritage walks, each offers a different way to welcome the new year.
For travellers planning to experience more than one Chinatown this festive season, many don’t realise how easily these destinations can be connected by bus. With redBus, creating your own Chinese New Year trail across Malaysia is simple, affordable, and just a few clicks away.
