Red is for love: A family enjoys lunch during Chinese New Year. (JP/Seto Wardhana)

Chinese New Year (Imlek) celebrations are all about family gatherings. However, festivities these days are also celebrated outside the home, with cultural performances at local shopping malls and the chance to plan a family vacation.

Public Imlek celebrations were banned before then-president Abdurrahman Wahid overturned the prohibition in 2000. For the past decades, Indonesians have enjoyed the Imlek atmosphere everywhere. Chinese New Year celebrations often start with a family meal at home the night before, although it’s common for those living in big cities to host a family dinner at a restaurant or hotel with a Chinese New Year set menu. On the day itself, Chinese New Year is celebrated by visiting a temple and giving ang pao (red envelopes containing money) to unmarried family members.

Imlek is also a major theme for shopping mall decorations in Jakarta. Cultural performances like the Barongsai (lion dance), Liong Dragon dance and wushu as well as Chinese dance and music can easily be found in shopping centers along with typical Chinese New Year decorations like lanterns and red envelopes. These performances are usually packed with families and small children.

This year’s Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 5, will most likely be turned into a long weekend by Jakartans, providing a chance for those with family outside the capital to celebrate the occasion in their hometowns.

According to astrology and feng shui expert Donna Stellhorn in her latest book Chinese Astrology: 2019 Year of the Earth Pig, this year is like the last period of winter, when we have a chance to rest and reflect on the past year as well as think about plans for the future.

Stellhorn says the Year of the Pig tends to be festive, offering many reasons to celebrate, which pose a risk of overindulgence. She cautions against overspending, overeating and adopting habits that come with health risks.

This year, according to Stellhorn, is also a good one for those striving to graduate and finishing long-time projects, such as writing a book or renovating their house.

As Stellhorn, who has written 15 books on Chinese astrology and feng shui, says, the year of the Pig “can be delightful, filled with celebrating life with people we love”, it’s surely time to take time off and treat yourself and your family to a relaxing vacation. With Chinese New Year being an ideal time to take a break, Bali might be an ideal destination for a family getaway. All you have to do is find the right place for everyone to enjoy.

Upside Down House Indonesia is a place where both children and parents can have fun defying gravity. Explore the rooms, pose for unique family pictures and have fun. Its one-of-a-kind Balinese Room, which features wooden carvings and traditional furniture, is one of the most popular rooms. Don’t worry about running out of ideas because the friendly staff are there to help you with poses. Located on Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai in Denpasar, this indoor trick-of-the-eye entertainment is a great escape if you happen to encounter a rainy day.

Nothing is more relaxing than tea. On this getaway, book a family high tea party at Biku Bali in Petitenget. Biku’s special Children’s High Tea provides more than warm drinks. It has toys and cake-themed coloring sheets for the kids, while the adults can relax while reading a good book. If you prefer activities that can be done together, take a family cooking class.

Chinese New Year is identical with heavy rain, which signifies good fortune for the year to come. But if the weather is clear, try taking a relaxing walking tour with the whole family, such as the Bali Herbal Walk or Rice Field Trekking Tour. The three-hour Bali Herbal Walk is hosted by Ni WayanLilir and I Made Westi, descendants of Balinese healers and farmers. The tour will take you across scenic rice fields in Ubud while learning about natural plants and herbs that have been used as natural medicine for generations. The tour usually starts at 8:30 a.m., a good way to start your day. After the walking tour, you can take jamu classes to learn how to make traditional sore-relief balm, body masks, body oil and traditional herbal medicinal drinks. If your family is keen on learning more about Bali, sign up for the Mayong Cultural Walk in Buleleng, North Bali. The 2.5-hour easy hike enables you to experience the local culture as well as visit the home of Putu Artana and Ria for a home-cooked lunch. A perfect educational getaway for the family.

Many recommend staying in and just enjoying the moment while you’re in Bali by renting a villa or booking a room at a family-friendly beach resort. Skip adrenaline-rush water sports and opt for relaxing beach activities. Nusa Dua is arguably the best area if you’re thinking about staying in most of the time. Check if your accommodation offers spa treatments for the little ones and sign up for mother-daughter bonding time, or whether they offer private yoga classes for families. Otherwise, Legian is always a great option if parents decide it’s time to rent a beach umbrella, sit back with cold drinks while watching the children play.

Whatever you plan this Chinese New Year, make sure it’s all about spending more time on yourself. After all, as Stellhorn wrote, this is the year to “create work/life balance and apply yourself to pursuing what you want to achieve”.

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