I was over at Suria KLCC recently and I have to admit I was duly impressed with the lovely ‘Peranakan’ themed decorations.

‘Peranakan’ is commonly known as ‘local born’ or ‘local descendants’ and is thought to have been used by the local people who are the descendants of Chinese immigrants who came to the Malay archipelago including British Malaya (now Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, where they are also referred to as Baba-Nyonya) 

Most of the Peranakan customs comes from traditional beliefs inherited from their Chinese ancestors.

The family unit is very important to the Peranakans, and family members within the same tree can usually be found living under one roof much like their Chinese counterparts.

However, what defines the Peranakans is their ability to embrace modern thinking. For instance, unlike the traditional Chinese who in the past, favored male offspring, Peranakans deemed both sons and daughters equal rights to the family fortune.

The Peranakan have manage to blend the Malay-Chinese-European culture and create a whole new unique identity – with their own customs, dressing, jewellery, furniture and amazing design sense.

Ok, enough about the Peranakan lessons for now…as I was saying, Suria KLCC’s decoration this year is a gorgeous ‘A Peranakan Homecoming Reunion’ where  a replica of the dining hall of an opulent double storey ‘Peranakan’ manor has been constructed at the centre court.

Visitors and shoppers can take a glimpse into the rich ‘Peranakan’ community’s opulent lifestyle and their mixed customs and traditions during this Chinese New Year at Suria KLCC

Besides bringing family members together, the Lunar New Year is also an essential time to unite Malaysians irrespective of religion, creed and background, and in its effort to celebrate the uniqueness of Malaysia, and to bring Malaysians together, Suria KLCC has constructed the tallest Chinese lantern made of small Chinese lanterns and cherry blossom ornaments at KLCC Esplanade. This magnificent structure is 72 feet high and 40 feet wide… do take the time to take photos with your family and friends here…. the structure will be there until 5th February 2017…

And for Chinese New Year, Suria KLCC and Alamanda shopping centre has pledge their support towards spreading lunar happiness to the ‘Shelter Home for Children’ through ‘Share the Care’ fund raising effort. Shoppers and visitors can donate RM10.00 for the cause in return for a fan shaped card as a gesture of appreciation. You can then write down the name on the card and the card will be hung on a cherry blossom tree at the designated area in the mall…the Shelter Home for Children is a registered welfare organisation established in 1981 to help abused, abandoned , neglected or at risk children… for more ifo on the Shelter Home for Children, members of the public can visit www.shelterhome.org

Be sure not to miss out on exciting and interesting performances from Peranakan style wedding, angklung performance, LED dragon dance, acrobatic lion dance,hands percussion performance, traditional Chinese orchestra, God of Prosperity walkabout and many more ongoing now til 5th February 2017

If you have spent a minimum of RM800 in a single receipt, you can also redeem two exclusive condiment pots and red packets whereas the top weekend spender will receive an exquisite pendant from Lukfook Jewellery…

For more info, check out www.suriaklcc.com.my

Address – 241, Suria KLCC,  50088 Kuala Lumpur

Suria KLCC is hard to miss and it is easily accessible by bus, taxi, lrt or monorail or for some even on foot, depending on the location of the hotel. When you travel by subway, you need to get off at Suria KLCC (if you use the Kelana Jaya line). You can also take the monorail to Bukit Nanas station and walk to Suria KLCC from there (10mins)