Chinese New Year in Indonesia

My wife and I will be in Indonesia this year during the Chinese New Year
and after experiencing it in Bangkok two years ago want to do it again
this visit to SEA. Can anyone recommend a good town or city where the
new year is well celebrated? We have no firm plans yet after the first
five days in Ubud with the package we got.

grusl...

Chinese still keep a low profile in Indonesia. Public commemoration of
the Chinese Lunar New Year was allowed only in 1999. (I went to the
South Jakarta municipal celebration where the mayor uttered a cautious,
mispronounced "Gong Xi Fa Cai"). Surabaya is probably the most Chinese
city in Indonesia ... that might be worth a visit; otherwise try
Malaysia or Singapore.

Cheers,

George W. Russell
Bangalore

chayco...

I was in Surabaya about a year and a half ago and there was a Chinese
celebration going on in the Chinese section (not New Year). It was quite
busy,flags flying, people in a reserved but good mood. Kiddy bands and a
dragon dance. Alcohol was available, but hidden in paper bags. It was safe,
calm and very 'civilized'. Resentment still runs very deep with most
Javanese. Always a shock when you get an educated Javanese talking about the
Chinese. The Chinese still fear walking or even driving in many parts of
Surabaya.

Drew...

thanks Ken. I appreciate your comments. We will be in the "neighborhood"
of Surabaya and may try to see but if it so problematic we will probably
skip it. The celebration in Thailand was pretty fantastic but if it
doesn't happen, oh well. There will be other things to occupy our time.
THANKS!!

Leisureman...

I believe "chinese" is not much of a celebrity in Indonesia :-)

Spehro Pefhany...

I've heard it can be a "riot".

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

LeisureMan
klteo66@gmail.com