THE Chinese New Year season has brought a change of scenery in shopping centres across the northern region, with oriental charm replacing last month’s sparkling sights.
Shades of red, pink and gold can be seen at every corner, enlivening the atmosphere.
In Kedah, Aman Central welcomes the Tiger with an Auspicious Discoveries backdrop featuring a grand jade-roofed pavilion surrounded by peach blossoms, lily ponds and golden bridges to symbolise good fortune.
Senior marketing communications manager Ken Chin said: “It’s essential to continue the tradition of putting up festive decorations to remind everyone there will be brighter days ahead.”
In Penang, Gurney Plaza’s Splendour of Spring festivities centre around a celestial garden with plum blossoms, bamboo shoots and lantern-shaped pavilions.
Some of the flowers even have moving petals, making them bloom right before visitors’ eyes and attracting colourful dragonflies.
“We wanted a cheerful ambience that is beyond the ordinary,” said CapitaLand deputy general manager of mall management Peter Chan.
Straits Quay’s Golden Flourish celebrations are anchored by an Instagram-worthy garden full of flowers. A grand floral archway greets visitors and at the garden’s heart is a ravishing red tree bearing gold ingots.
“These striking shades are meant to shower blessings on visitors,” explained the retail marina’s marketing manager Gillian Tan.
Queensbay Mall’s Symphony of Spring decorations feature a bamboo garden, moon gate, watch tower, pavilion, bridge and lotus pond with cranes.
“It represents renewal, expressing our hope that people can remain strong,” centre manager Lee Sue Ling said of the scene.
Gurney Paragon Mall wanted to convey a similarly hopeful message with red lanterns, according to marketing communications manager Jasmine Tai.
“They symbolise renewed hope,” Tai pointed out.
GAMA Supermarket and Depart-mental Store also dressed up its exterior with lanterns, blooms and banners. The decorations make for an eye-catching sight, particularly at night.
Sunshine Square enlivened its product displays with lanterns while hanging up giant gold coins to shower shoppers with good fortune.
Hotels are also trying to create a roaring atmosphere for local travellers.
Motorists cruising along Gurney Drive will notice G Hotel Gurney’s giant G sign that has transformed into a God of Prosperity tiger holding up a banner and mandarin oranges.
At M Summit 191 Executive Hotel Suites, two cute tigers pose atop a platform bedecked with peach blossoms and gold embellishments.
“It’s been an annual tradition to put up statues of the year’s zodiac animal,” its corporate communications manager Ng Su-Ann shared.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
More photos
Red lanterns brighten up Gurney Paragon Mall.
Visitors to Straits Quay passing through its captivating Golden Flourish garden alive with flowering trees.
A family posing on a bridge over a lotus pond that are part of Queensbay Mall’s Symphony of Spring display. Also featured are a watch tower, bamboo garden and red lanterns to symbolise renewal.
Gold coins symbolising fortune at Sunshine Square.
The exterior of GAMA adorned with lanterns and blooms.
Staff of M Summit 191 Executive Hotel Suites adding peach blossoms around two cute tiger statues.
Friends taking a wefie with the God of Prosperity tiger outside G Hotel Gurney.
A shopper posing with the lantern-shaped pavilions and giant blooming flowers in Gurney Plaza’s garden.
