If you’ve checked out all the CNY events in Singapore, it might be time to look a little further afield. Putuo Village in Kulai, Malaysia has gorgeous Year of the Snake light displays for you to check out this Lunar New Year. Think River Hongbao meets Light to Night.
The Buddhist village has free entry to its Spring Festival showcase every weekend from 9am to 10pm this February. And trust us, it’s worth the drive down.
Image adapted from: Putuo Village
Step into Putuo Village and you’ll immediately be swept up in its Spring Festival celebrations. Open every weekend night throughout February, the village offers a chance to extend the Lunar New Year joy well beyond CNY. Surrounded by a bamboo forest that echoes the charm of Shunan Bamboo Forest in China, the village has a vibe that is both tranquil and exciting.
Image credit: Putuo Village
Among over 10 new artistic installations, one display steals the show: a 10-metre-tall snake, its form meticulously adorned with 8,888 golden scales that catch the light just right. More mysterious than cutesy, the snake reminds us of the movie Aladdin, when Jafar transforms into a giant snake.
Image credit: Putuo Village
The true highlight of the festivities, though, is a majestic “floating“ bamboo dragon. The 12m-long dragon was hand-woven over six months – and now hangs from steel wires in the main hall of the Guan Yin temple.
Speaking of which, here’s your chance to check out the world’s first Guan Yin Temple built entirely from bamboo. Although it’s still under construction, you can catch a sneak peek of its unfolding grandeur. The temple, crafted from bamboo, blends seamlessly with the bamboo forest surroundings of Putuo Village.
Image credit: Putuo Village
But that’s not all – the bamboo valley at the heart of Putuo Village is also adorned with Buddhist prayer streamers, lending an extra layer of serenity to the area.
Image credit: Putuo Village
Putuo Village is a 43-acre Buddhist haven tucked away in a bamboo forest, making it an ideal escape from the usual city bustle. If you’re planning to catch the CNY celebrations here, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s only an hour’s drive from Woodlands Checkpoint.
For those who prefer public transport, there’s an easy option too. Start by catching a bus from Singapore to JB Sentral via Woodlands Causeway.
Once you arrive at JB Sentral Bus Terminal, you can board either myBAS T30, City Bus 13, or Maju 229 heading to Kulai. The myBAS T30 is a particularly convenient choice, departing every 20 minutes with its final stop at Terminal Kulai, and the bus ride typically takes about an hour.
From the nearest bus stop, you may need to grab a taxi or use a ride-hailing service to reach Putuo Village.
So, if you’re planning a trip to JB this February or just hunting for a fresh way to celebrate the season, these light displays are definitely worth a detour. Entry is free, but if you feel like spreading the love even further, consider donating to Putuo Village. You might very well get extra karma points.
Admission: Free
Date: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd February 2025 (Saturdays & Sundays)
Time: 9am-10pm
Location: 1488 Jalan Kota Tinggi, Putuo Village, 81000 Kulai, Malaysia
Cover image adapted from: Putuo Village
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