Monday 23 January 2012

Kung Hei Fat Choy


Alternatively: Gong Xi Far Tsai; Sae Hae Bok Manee Badusaeyo; Chúc Mừng Năm Mới

The Dragon is one of the most powerful and lucky signs in the Chinese zodiac, with many believing there is a balance between heaven and earth in the lives of people born in the Year of the Dragon. As well as being blessed with good fortune, Dragons are innovative, flexible, self-assured and passionate, making good artists, diplomats and politicians. However, Dragons can also be stubborn, intense and quick tempered. 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, with water having a calming influence on Dragons’ fearless temperament, and also making them more perceptive of others.


On Saturday the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, was opening a revitalised Chinatown. Unfortunately it poured with rain, and from the little I saw, it looked like it was washed out.



In 2010, City of Sydney worked with the Chinatown community to develop the Chinatown Public Domain Plan. Together they developed ways to include more pedestrian-friendly streets, new spaces for markets and outdoor dining, and better walking and cycling connections with surrounding areas.

The first steps of this plan have now been completed. The City of Sydney is celebrating the transformation of a traditional pavilion into an information kiosk with artwork by Pamela Mei-Leng See – a place where both visitors and locals will be able to get information on Chinatown and Sydney. The kiosk will be accessible for people who use wheelchairs and prams and will be the City’s first customer service point with a hearing loop, to assist hearing impaired visitors. The design includes vibrant Chinese motif screens and uses energy-efficient lighting to provide a lantern effect at night.

Little Hay Street has also been revitalised, with improvements including a continuous avenue of trees and upgraded lighting and furniture. Factory Street has become home to a new everyday meeting place and Kimber Lane has not only become more pedestrian friendly, it also features an exciting art installation, Between Two Worlds, and the revitalisation of an existing artwork, Heaven and Earth.


7 comments:

Peter said...

Great post, love the close up of Clover and the last one, what a fab lane.

AL said...

I'm sure the rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Chinese celebrating their New Year. I've always preferred your China Town to ours here in Brisbane...here it lacks feeling.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

fabulous images for a special day

Jim said...

Love the dragon. The kiosk and laneway look brilliant too.

Dina said...

So nice they made these improvements.
Love that dragon on top.
Happy new year of the dragon.

Rae Walter said...

Great post Ann. We are about to come to Sydney for a couple of days after being in Melbourne. Will have to check this area out as have not been there for a while. Pity the weather washed things out on the opening day.

thomas said...

Wow! That's a long dragon hanging on the building.