Xīn Nián Kuài Lè, Sugboanons!
This Chinese New Year, let’s check out the best spots in Cebu that offer cultural experiences and lively celebrations to welcome the Year of the Snake —from traditional dragon dances to bell ringing ceremonies, and enjoying oriental cuisine.
Without further ado, here are the top places where you can celebrate Chinese New Year with your family and friends:
FGS Chu Un Temple
In Cebu City, the Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple is one of the top places hosting Chinese New Year festivities. Established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1992, the FGS temple has its main headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and is continuously advocating for Humanistic Buddhism principles.
The temple will have a Chinese New Year Countdown celebration on January 28, 2025, from 6 PM to midnight which will be an evening filled with activities, including the bell ringing ceremony, witness dragon and lion dances, and the chance to adorn yourself with beautiful Chinese costumes and customizable accessories. There will also be areas of the temple allotted for the art of Chinese calligraphy and offer your prayers of thanksgiving, all while enjoying a selection of delicious vegetarian fares and traditional delicacies, as well as putting your wishes up on the Wishing Tree and joining in the thrilling lucky draw! And as the clock strikes midnight, a spectacular fireworks display will be lighting up the sky. Lastly, the celebration continues on January 29, welcoming an auspicious new year with family-friendly activities from 10 AM to 5 PM.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- No entrance fee
OTHER INFORMATION
- Contact Number: 032-253-8144
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/chuuntemple
- Email Address: [email protected]
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: FGS Chu Un Temple, 246, V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City, Philippines
- By Car: Navigate via Waze and Google Maps and pin your destination to FGS Chu Un Temple or Guang Ming College Cebu City.
Cebu Taoist Temple
This place is more than just a religious site; it’s a testament to the deep commitment of Cebu’s Chinese Filipino community towards Taoism. The temple was built in 1972 and it reflects the teachings of Taoism, promoting philosophy on humility, piety, and a prosperous life.
You can visit the temple any time of the year with optimal viewing during the sunny season, which is March through May. But, during the Lunar New Year celebration, it is the best time to witness the cultural activities at the temple, such as a dragon dance, jawdropping fireworks displays, and many more!
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
There is no entrance fee.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: 8VMQ+M5X, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin your location. Parking is available.
- By Jeepney: Ride a 04L Jeepney and tell the driver to drop you off at the Taoist Temple Road and ride a habal habal going there or have a prearranged day tour package.
NUSTAR
Do you want to celebrate Chinese New Year in a bougie way? NUSTAR is a hotel and casino that’s a premier 5-star integrated resort in Cebu, Philippines that is redefining luxury with world class gaming, entertainment, exclusive shopping, and dining offerings.
The hotel provides high quality activities for Chinese New Year for us all to enjoy, starting on January 25 to February 12 for their “Slide into Prosperity: Welcome the Year of the Snake” celebration. There will be a Fan Dance, Lo Hei Toss, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, and even a special performance by the Fo Guang Shan Siddhartha Theater Ensemble. In addition, there will also be a Horoscope Installation at the NUSTAR Atrium from January 25 to February 12 and a Chinese Calligraphy Session at The Mall from January 25, 26, and on 29.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
There are no entrance fees.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Contact Number: (032) 888 8282
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nustarcebu
- Website: https://www.nustar.ph/
- Email Address: [email protected]
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: South Road Properties, Cebu City, Philippines
- By Car: Navigate your destination with Waze and Google Maps. Set your destination to the NUSTAR hotel and casino. Parking is available.
Minnan’s Restaurant
Entering this restaurant in IL Corso, you will be greeted with a modern ambiance of Chinese decor complete with a delicious set meal on their menu that you and your friends can enjoy. The restaurant has an elevator if you wish to see their private function rooms where they entertain guests and can accommodate them.
IL Corso is a great place to enjoy a food trip while watching the beautiful view of the ocean and shop at their newly opened mall.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
Their rates vary on season, so reach out via their phone number directly.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Contact Number: 032 5179649
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: IL Corso, Filinvest Mall, South Road Properties, Cebu City
- By Car: Navigate your location using Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to Minnan’s Seafood Restaurant – Il Corso. Parking is available.
Sugbo Chinese Heritage Museum
The Sugbo Chinese Heritage Museum will be holding a Chinese New Year event on January 29 at 10 am to 5 pm in the evening. The event will consist of a Dragon Dance, prosperity tree, angpao hanging, zodiac philatelic exhibition, special book reading, and a plaster reading.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- Foreign Visitors: P120
- Local Visitors: P75
- Senior Citizen, PWD, and Students: P60
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM
OTHER INFORMATION
- Contact Number: (032) 384-0806
- Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SugbuChinese/
- Website: https://sugbuchinese.com/
- Email Address: [email protected]
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Gotiaoco Bldg., M.C. Briones St. corner P. Burgos St., Cebu City (across Magellan’s Cross)
- By Car: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum” in Cebu City. The closest parking lot is just right next to the Senior Citizen park beside the museum, but is outside of the museum’s jurisdiction.
- By Grab/ Taxi: Ride a taxi or book a grab taxi anywhere from Cebu and ask the driver to take you to Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum which is just across Cebu City Hall.
- By Jeepney: You may ride any jeepney passing by the Cebu City Hall or Magellan’s Cross. Many jeepneys with the “Colon” sign usually pass by the place. Just ask the jeepney driver if they’re passing by these places before riding the Jeepney.
SM City Cebu
SM City Cebu is also holding a Chinese New Year event from January 21 to 31. The Chinese New Year will consist of a Chinese Pavilion and Zodiac Astrology Display at the Event Center, and lastly a lion and dragon dance.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
No entrance fee.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Contact Number: (032) 231 3450
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/smcitycebuofficial
- Website: https://www.smsupermalls.com/
- Email Address: [email protected]
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Juan Luna Ave. cor. Cabahug and Kaoshiung Streets, North Reclamation Area, Cebu Port Center, Mabolo, Cebu City
- By Car: Navigate using Waze and Google Maps and set your destination to SM City Cebu Mall.
Aside from the above listed, Insular Square, Pacific Mall Mandaue, The Outlets, Robinsons Cybergate, City Times Square Mandaue will also have thrilling Chinese Lion Dance performance paired with a cultural show and some fireworks displays.
