ABU DHABI (UAE) ­ Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s new world-class Central Business District (CBD) at the heart of the UAE capital, is to mount a series of celebrations to mark next month’s Chinese New Year and celebrate ‘The Lunar Year of the Horse.’ Running Thursday January 30th to Saturday February 1st, 2014, the celebrations will include live music performances, art exhibitions, traditional craft displays, food stalls and a fireworks display.

UAE residents and visitors to the Emirates will be able to experience authentic Chinese culture through waterfront promenade activities, including a Chinese calligraphy workshop, kite painting lessons, a horse whisperer photo exhibition, and portrait painters, creating a celebratory atmosphere all set amongst a landscape of thousands of decorative Chinese lanterns.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi’s premier shopping and dining destination, will host traditional Chinese music performances in its Great Room and festive decorations in red and gold tones. On January 31st - Chinese New Year Day - a dragon show will come to life on the promenade and be followed by a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by Chinese music, which will light up Al Maryah Island and its surrounds.

To commemorate the Lunar Year of the Horse, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, the island’s ultra-luxury hotel, will treat guests to a traditional red envelope and chocolates wrapped in gold foil in each room, believed to bestow luck, health and prosperity on the receiver. Rosewood’s Aqua restaurant will serve up renowned Chinese delicacies, and Glo, its glamorous open-air lounge, will host a chic Chinese New Year’s eve party on January 30th and 31st.

Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director, Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, said: “Al Maryah Island is a visionary mixed-use district which offers first-class retail, hotel, residential, leisure and commercial amenities alluring to both Abu Dhabi residents and guests from abroad. In the past year, we welcomed a significant number of Chinese visitors, reflecting the increasing number of tourists from China choosing to travel to the UAE capital and select Al Maryah Island as their lifestyle destination of choice.

We accept Guest Posts

Download the Dubai City Guide iPhone mobile app

DubaiCityGuide.com is owned and managed by Cyber Gear