With one of the largest Chinese populations outside of China, Singapore has a strong connection to Chinese culture. This becomes particularly clear at Chinese New Year, which will fall on February 7 in 2008, when Singapore throws itself into the New Year festivities. Throughout the city there will be cultural performances and shows and many of the shops are dressed up in traditional colours and decorations. The whole city turns into a feast of sights and sounds which makes for an unforgettable experience.

Of course nowhere throws itself into the celebrations as much as Chinatown where the excitement builds up for literally weeks before the actual day. Terengganu Street and Pagoda Street are filled with stalls selling a range of traditional goodies and you can expect to see numerous cultural shows and no doubt the occasional dragon dance.

Another great spot for the festivities is Marina Promenade where the annual Singapore River Hong Bao Carnival takes place. Here you can expect to see artists brought specially from China to perform for the crowds, there are also stalls with everything from fortune tellers to finger painters.

The celebrations culminate in the Chingay parade, this year taking place on 15 and 16th February. This spectacular parade has now become quite an international event. Where it originated from is something of a mystery but it was first recorded in Penang in Malaysia and moved its way to Johor and eventually into Singapore in 1973. Since 1985 this parade has happened in, on or around Orchard Road and it really is an amazing feast of sights and sounds. There are lots of ways to see the parade, whether it be on the ground or from one of the viewing galleries for which you can buy tickets in advance, tickets are sold from the beginning of November. This year there will be an all night party on the 16th taking place in front of city hall, the party starts at 11 and you will need to buy tickets. The parade will normally start with a pre-parade and fireworks, when the parade proper starts many performers will push, pull or carry the magnificent parade floats in displays of amazing teamwork, there will also be more static displays this year one in-front of city hall involving climbers and dancers.

Chinese New Year is always a feast of sights and sounds and nowhere is this more true than Singapore. It is a delight for the senses and a great deal of fun, with lots of popular hotels likely to be fully booked it is worth getting in early, and experiencing one of the biggest festivals in Singapore.