The Chinese New Year 2016 practically marked the end of the short winter in Las Vegas. This week the sun was up, the sky was blue and the average temperatures around 70’s F° (20’s C°). Great enough to gave visitors a sense of happiness and optimism – Just perfect for this celebration :)
Chinese New Year of the Monkey at Bellagio Las Vegas
The Chinese New Year 2016 started on February 8. In Las Vegas will last until March 12 – at least at Bellagio Hotel, which takes this event seriously every year.
The featured element of the display was a group of 12 Macaque monkeys climbing on an exotic tree, and trying to reach for huge mouth-watering peaches.
** I uploaded these two images below to my Fine Art America gallery, where they are available as art prints. If you are interested, click on them for details:
For those who don’t know (I didn’t), these monkeys are part of the Macaca genus. Living throughout Asia, North Africa, and they are are mainly frugivorous (fruit eating). That’s why the Bellagio artists placed them surrounded by huge mouthwatering peaches.
This cute one is holding a huge peach by the pond. She looks happy in the created Chinese ambient, with water, fish, plants, pagodas and lucky symbols.
As usual, master artists and horticulturists created an enchanting Chinese environment. They carefully put together all the elements Chinese elements that bring good luck and prosperity to the New Year:
1. Fish ponds with running water and real Chinese plants and fishes.
2. Thousands of real flowers growing in small gardens
** I noticed that just like in the other years, the displayed Chinese kids were also made from fresh-cut flowers. They are watered continuously to keep the freshness. Eventually the flowers get replaced from time to time (The Chinese New Year display at Bellagio lasts a little more than two months: from January 9th through March 12).
3. Golden I-Ching Coins and ancient I-Ching text that symbolizes wealth
It looked to me like this year Bellagio hotel was busier than ever. This probably because the Chinese New Year 2016 (the first week) coincided with Valentine’s Day and President’s Day.
More Celebrations of the Chinese New Year 2016 in Las Vegas
Bellagio was not the only party in town. The Chinese New Year 2016 was celebrated in many other places during the week between 8 and 14 February. Here is a list of events from Las Vegas Weekly News.
Chinese New Year 2016 at Caesars Palace
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace displayed a beautiful huge red and gold Dragon. It was all lit up with hundreds of lights. It was difficult to take a photo of it because of all the people around trying to do the same.
Linq Promenade during Chinese New Year 2016
A novelty for Las Vegas this year was the celebration of Chinese New Year at the Linq Promenade. It was right there, where the famous High Roller Wheel is located.
For the whole week between 8 and 14 February this year, the Linq Promenade was like a small China Town.Special events and shows where happening everywhere.
Chinese lanterns and decorations with gold and red colors, were hanging everywhere, creating a very festive environment,
Wishing you too a Happy Healthy Prosperous Chinese New Year 2016!