As the Year of the Snake approaches, the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has transformed into a hub of festive activity with eye-catching backdrops, a slew of cultural events across the city.

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Petaling Street, in the heart of Chinatown, remains a focal point of the celebrations. Rows of red and gold lanterns cast a warm glow over the bustling market, packed with locals and tourists alike. Vendors line the streets offering traditional snacks, festive ornaments, and Chinese New Year essentials, including snake-themed key chains.

Shoppers clutch bunches of pussy willows and other festive blooms, while lion dance troupes with deafening cymbals weave through the crowds, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Many visitors can be seen snapping photos or making their way to nearby temples to pay their respects, while decked out in red usher in the Spring Festival with exuberance.

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Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur’s shopping malls have taken the celebrations to dazzling new heights, featuring towering installations, immersive art displays, and creative interpretations of spring and prosperity.

At Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, a premiere shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur's central Bukit Bintang area, the "Prosperity in Harmony" installation in the central atrium captivates visitors. A dramatic canopy of red lanterns floats overhead, presiding over doe-eyed snake mascots and a showcase of exquisite lion head craftsmanship.

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There is also a Chinese New Year reunion dinner exhibit, highlighting the cherished tradition of families reuniting to dine together. Symbolic dishes, representing blessings of health, happiness, and wealth, remind visitors of the importance of family togetherness and shared hopes for the year ahead.

Jocelyn Lee, a local resident, made a special trip to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur with her two teenage daughters on Jan 25. “Usually, I wouldn’t come all the way here because it’s so crowded,” she admitted. “I’d just go to Mid Valley Megamall near where I stay. But I saw the decorations on Xiaohongshu, and they were so beautiful I had to see them in person.”

Elsewhere, Pavilion Damansara Heights, another shopping mall, impresses visitors with a 93-foot-long cultural diorama, created in partnership with the World Culture Organisation. This intricate miniature display offers a glimpse into grand imperial banquets across various Chinese dynasties, celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese New Year.

Families and children flock to take photos with a giant panda and red bear, dash across digital floor displays, or admire the Calligraphy Art Exhibition hosted in partnership with the Federation of Calligraphy Society Malaysia. Live Chinese cultural performances further enrich the celebratory atmosphere.

For many in Kuala Lumpur, these decorations and activities are a meaningful way to honour tradition and welcome the new year.

“The city feels so alive during Chinese New Year,” said local Alice Sim, spotted shopping for festive blooms at the flower shop in Chinatown with her mother. “It’s a time to celebrate happily with family and loved ones.”

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.