Chinese New Year 2016 – Year of the Monkey in Las Vegas

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°) gave visitors a great sense of happiness and optimism – Just perfect for this celebration :)

Red Chinese lanterns on the blue sky of Las Vegas for the Chinese New Year 2016 Celebration

Chinese New Year 2016 in Las Vegas

The Chinese New Year 2016 started on February 8, and in Las Vegas will last until March 12 – at least at Bellagio Hotel, which takes this event seriously every year.

Chinese New Year of the Monkey at Bellagio Las Vegas

The featured element of the display was a group of 12 Macaque monkeys mounted on an exotic tree, and trying to reach for huge mouth-watering peaches.

Macaque monkeys and peaches at Bellagio gardens and conservatory

Macaque monkeys and peaches at Bellagio Gardens and Conservatory

 

Monkey sitting on the edge of a fish pond

Monkey sitting on the edge of the fish pond

As usual, master artists and horticulturists created an enchanting Chinese environment. They carefully put together with all the elements that according to the Chinese culture bring good luck and prosperity to the New Year:

1. Fish ponds with running water and real Chinese plants and fishes.

Fish pond at Bellagio Chinese New Year 2016 display
Fish pond at Bellagio Chinese New Year display

2. Thousands of real flowers growing in small gardens

Flower garden and fish pond at Bellagio Chinese New Year display
Flower garden at Bellagio Chinese New Year 2016 display

  • 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).

Chinese kids made out of fresh cut flowers and lucky coins
Chinese kid made out of fresh cut flowers

3. Golden I-Ching Coins and ancient I-Ching text that symbolizes wealth

Water running into I-Ching Coins containers
Dragon with golden ancient I-Ching text

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.

Bellagio hotel lobby on the Chinese New Year 2016
Bellagio hotel lobby on the Chinese New Year 2016

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, 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.Chinese Dragon at Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Las Vegas

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 – the place where the famous High Roller Wheel is located.High Roller Wheel viewed from the Link Promenade on the Chinese New Year 2016

Schedule of Events on Linq Promenade for the Chinese New Year 2016
Year of the Monkey 2016 on the Linq Promenade, Las Vegas
Year of the Monkey sign on the Linq Promenade, Las Vegas

Chinese decorations on the Linq Promenade on the Chinese New Year 2016
Chinese Decorations on the Linq Promenade

Chinese Decorations on the Linq Promenade, Las Vegas
Chinese decorations on the Linq Promenade, Las Vegas

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