Chinese New Year Malaysia Places to Visit: 10 Best Spots to Celebrate

Looking for Chinese New Year Malaysia places to visit? Start with these ten.

Chinese New Year is one of the most colourful times to be in Malaysia. Streets glow red and gold, lion dance troupes drum through shopping malls, temples fill with worshippers and families travel across the country for reunion dinners. Whether you are celebrating or simply want to experience the festive atmosphere, these ten places are well worth a visit during the festive season.

1. Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Perched on a hill in Seputeh, this six-tiered temple becomes a sea of red lanterns during the festive season. Visit at dusk when the lanterns light up against the city skyline.

2. Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur

KL's Chinatown is busy with stalls selling decorations, mandarin oranges, waxed meats and festive snacks in the run-up to the new year.

3. Guan Di Temple and Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Two of the city's historic temples close to Chinatown, where visitors come to pray for good fortune at the start of the year.

4. Bukit Bintang malls

Shopping centres such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur are known for huge festive installations and regular lion and dragon dance performances during the season.

5. Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si in Air Itam is famous for being illuminated with thousands of lights during the Chinese New Year period.

6. George Town, Penang

The heritage streets of George Town, with their clan houses and shophouses, take on a festive glow, and the island usually hosts lively community celebrations.

7. Jonker Street, Melaka

Melaka's historic Chinese quarter is decorated with lanterns and is a lively place for festive food and shopping, just two hours' drive from KL.

8. Chin Swee Caves Temple, Genting Highlands

This hillside temple enjoys cool air and sweeping views, making it a peaceful festive day trip about an hour from Kuala Lumpur.

9. Ipoh Old Town

Ipoh's heritage streets, cave temples such as Sam Poh Tong and famous food make it a great stop for families travelling north during the holidays.

10. Your own reunion table

The heart of Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner. Whether it is at home, at a restaurant or at a relative's house across the country, being together is what makes the festival special.

Tips for festive season travel

• Expect heavy traffic on expressways just before and after the holidays. Travel early in the morning if you can.
• Many small shops close for the first few days of the new year, while malls and tourist sites usually stay open.
• Dress in bright colours; red is considered lucky, while all-black or all-white outfits are best avoided for visits.
• Book restaurants for reunion dinners well in advance.

Travelling with the whole family? A seven-seat MPV keeps everyone together, with space for luggage and festive gifts.

Celebrate in comfort

Kuala Lumpur Rent-A-Car's MPVs, from the Nissan Serena to the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, are perfect for festive visits and reunion trips. We offer free delivery in KL and PJ on rentals of 3 days or more and 10% off rentals of 7 days or longer. Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us.

Keep reading: Places to Visit in Melaka: 10 Historic Stops on a Road Trip from KL and Traffic Jam Driving Tips Malaysia: 14 Ways to Stay Calm on KL Roads. Ready to drive? Browse our rental fleet in Kuala Lumpur or check our delivery coverage areas.