Ring In The Year Of The Horse With Las Vegas Chinese New Year Celebrations

Posted by : Unknown Sunday, February 2, 2014

Today marks the Year of the Horse in the chinese new year cards calendar. Before you feast on the celebratory delicacies Las Vegas has to offer TravelsinTaste suggests several unique ways to ring in the new year.

You can take in some culture by checking out the dynamic and colorful lion dances which will commemorate the Year of the Horse at Bellagio, ARIA, The Shops at Crystals and MGM Grand. Yau Kung Moon will perform the Chinese lion dances in a traditional Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system, a collection of martial arts with more than 1,000 years of history. Yau Kung Moon, which translates to "Style of Flexible Power," is one of the world's most respected martial arts, dragon and lion dance organizations. Known for its trademark gold uniforms and innovative routines, Yau Kung Moon has been recognized internationally for being the first U.S. team to compete in the 1990 Invitational World Lion Dance Festival in Malaysia.

Alternatively, you can visit Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens which has ushered in the new year with a display featuring seven life-size horses parading atop a three-tier mountain with a majestic gold stallion at the peak; the total number of eight represents good fortune in Chinese culture. At the entrance an 18-foot-tall custom-made Chinese money tree symbolizes prosperity, good fortune and nobility. The lucky tree flourishes with 384 oversized gold-leafed coins on its branches as mounds of I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese symbol for money, surround its base.

Then there's always shopping. The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas offers Lunar New Year revelers glamorous ways to ring in the new year. "Chinese New Year is an important holiday for our retailers, and many of our brands, such as Lalique and BVLGARI, have created limited specialty pieces in honor of the Year of the Horse," said Farid Matraki, Vice President and General Manager of Crystals. "We enjoy creating an unique experience for all of our customers. In the case of our Chinese shoppers, they will discover that many of our retailers accept China Union debit and credit cards, as well as our concierge desk. In addition, our tenants also have in-house representatives that speak Mandarin and other dialects." Crystals recently welcomed famed crystal designer Lalique to its repertoire, marking the house's first standalone Las Vegas location. The animal kingdom served as founder René Lalique's main source of inspiration, and the brand brings the nature of the horse to life with The Equestrian Collection. The series pays tribute to the creature's varied poses and graceful movements through stunning vases and sculptures. Furthermore, Crystals recently became home to the world's largest Tourbillon boutique, which offers one of the only wristwatches equipped with a traditional Chinese calendar. The Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel watch by Blancpain is based on the fundamental principles established for millennia and is profoundly rooted in Chinese tradition.

After the excitement one can partake in a holiday feast at some of The Strip's hottest Chinese restaurants. At Rice & Co., in Luxor, one can start with Pan Fried Pot Stickers: dumplings filled with pork and vegetables and served with a ginger soy sauce. Then continue with a choice between House Mixed Greens or Egg Drop Soup. Next Next one can savor Kung Pao Chicken, stir fried with celery, bell pepper, onion and roasted peanuts. Guests will cap off the meal with exotic fruits and berries. "At Rice & Co., we have created modern interpretations of Chinese favorites such as Beef and Broccoli and Garlic Shrimp, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients available," said Rice & Co. Executive Chef Ray Kwong. "The holiday is a very important and exciting day in the Chinese culture and we look forward to showcasing our finely prepared menu items to Las Vegas guests and visitors."

Meanwhile Jasmine at Bellagio presents its "Kung Hei Fat Choy" menu, offering luxurious twists to celebratory Chinese New Year dishes. Vegas high-rollers can enjoy the Braised Abalone, created with sea cucumber, goose web, golden oyster, mushrooms and sea moss. The Panfried "Wagyu" Strip Loin, seasoned with black pepper and garlic, is sure to become a new holiday tradition. "Bellagio's restaurants offer traditional Chinese New Year offerings while also implementing luxurious twists," said Bellagio Executive Chef Edmund Wong. "An incredible meal at Jasmine or Noodles, paired with the festive Lion Dances and stunning Conservatory décor, will truly create a fun and memorable experience for our guests."