January closed with one of the loudest cultural celebrations in Malaysia, the Chinese New Year. Welcoming the Year of the Dragon, the festivities were bigger than ever, with many “dragons” accompanying traditional lion dance troupes performing to scare away evil spirits and bestow luck, to the accompaniment of beating drums, clashing cymbals, firecrackers and the lou sang toss to prosperity.

Among the impressive dragons making an appearance at shopping malls and throughout the city were Carlsberg’s record-breaking inflated creature that it launched outside the Thean Hou temple and Pavilion KL’s 600ftlong dragon lording over Centre Court.

At the Curve, senior citizens were treated to a show featuring face-changing, which is almost like a magic show, while Sungei Wang Plaza decorated its mall with the theme Springtime Grandeur, bringing to mind the look of old China.

Guinness Anchor Bhd also launched its Dragon Tiger campaign with a special feng shui talk by Master Kenny Hoo, offering tips on making 2012 and the Year of the Dragon a good one for all.