Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Chinese New Year celebrations are in full swing in Bahrain, and for the first time in the kingdom’s history, locals and Chinese expats alike can celebrate at the island’s own slice of China, the Dragon City in Diyar Al Muharraq.
Spread over a total land area of 115,000sq/m with a built up area of 56,000sq/m, Dragon City is the first major ‘Chinatown’ in the kingdom and opened its doors in late December.
By the time I’d driven to the complex’s location, it felt like I’d been on a road trip to Shanghai given its location even further out than Amwaj Islands. But it’s clear to see that this area will become a huge attraction in the coming years when surrounding residential and commercial properties open.
Thanks to the plethora of roadworks going on, after six or seven diversions photographer Ryan and I ended up in the vast car park. It can accommodate 1,500 cars but judging by this visit, 15 spaces would have been acceptable.
Regardless, the building is certainly attempting to be authentic, with traditional Chinese architectural riffs and symbolism daubing the outer walls.
Walking into the mall via its grand entrance, I was immediately entranced by the Chinese shades hanging from the ceilings and the elaborate decorations. Of course, every customer service desk (complete with a gentleman who couldn’t understand a word I was saying and seemed to think his job was to simply smile and thrust a mall directory in my hand) had a great big golden dragon sat on either end of it too.
I’m not sure actual buildings in China look like this on the inside, but if you’re going to be the first location in the country to pass off as ‘proper Chinese’, why not dip into the book of 101 Chinese Design Stereotypes?
Anyway, as the purpose of my visit was to scout the place out and see if I could obtain a taste of Chinese culture and wares, I got my wish as I approached the very first shop on the left in the main galleria.
Costa Coffee.
Yep, looks like even this place isn’t safe from the major corporations. Not to worry, I just had to dig deeper!
Getting lost in the labyrinth of avenues linking furniture shops with toy stores and electronic displays, I attempted to talk to shop-owners to gauge their thoughts on the mall.
Sadly, most of the Chinese store workers couldn’t speak English or understand my best attempt at sign language, so it took me a while to find someone willing to humour me … a true case of Chinese whispers. And, since the only Mandarin I know, aside from a select few unprintable phrases, is ‘you are beautiful’, I didn’t think that was the best conversation opener with the friendly Mr Wang at Okorder International.
Luckily, the delightful Jenny (if my experience at university is anything to go by, I’d wager my last yuan that this was not her real name, but rather one she could dish out to Westerners who had no hope of pronouncing her real one) was willing to talk to me as she showcased her electronic boards which can display a variety of messages.
Having moved to Bahrain three months ago to work in the Black Dream Trading outlet (sadly, it doesn’t stock Martin Luther King action figures), she was happy at the progress made so far. “The mall is getting busier every day and more shops are opening up. I’m liking Bahrain so far and have made many friends from working here,” she said.
The $100-million Dragon City as a whole encompasses Dragon Mall, the shopping section I was in, and a themed Dining Village which is yet to open, but is almost as big as the mall itself.
When fully operational, there are 747 commercial outlets but I’d wager currently at least half of those are still empty judging by the numerous stores with a ‘coming soon’ banner draped across the front.
One shop that caught my eye was Doumani Trading, managed by Salim Tabakh. The floor was covered in rubbery tiles filled with a paint-like substance that displaced and made fancy patterns every time you stepped on them, as well as other trinkets like fold-up bags and designer containers.
He explained: “We are very excited to set up here at Dragon City. Bahrain is at the heart of the GCC and now we have our own place for the Chinese community to match the one in Dubai.
“There’s the typical opinion that Chinese products are cheap and of lower quality, but we want to prove this false. What we, and the other stores in this building, sell, is high quality products at affordable prices. We make sure every concept that comes into our store is tested for quality and popularity.”
It just so happened that my visit conveniently coincided with Chinese New Year. However, sadly, there were no real (or costumed) monkeys swinging round to get everyone in the spirit of things. That would be saved for later in the evening, and the elaborate show to be performed on the stage erected in the middle of the mall, which Ryan rushed back to capture.
I’ve always felt a tinge of disappointment with Chinese New Year, as most people not actually in touch with the culture tend to simply use it as a tool to associate themselves with how cool their respective birth year animal is. So, while my mates strutted around as dragons and snakes, I disappointingly ended up lumbered with the Year of the Sheep.
Maybe seeing a live carnival atmosphere might make me happier about the occasion, so with the week-long party about to kick into gear, I can always go back and be convinced that maybe being a sheep isn’t so baaaaad after all.
***
The New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so the date changes from year to year.
The festivities usually start the day before and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the New Year.
Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. It is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference being that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month.
This year it’s the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle. The next Year of the Monkey will be in 2028.
People born in the Year of the Monkey are characterised as lively, quick-witted, curious, innovative and mischievous, but it is also believed to be one of the most unlucky years in the Chinese calendar.
The general image of people in this zodiac sign is of always being smart, clever and intelligent, especially in their career and wealth.
In addition, their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper and a tendency to look down upon others.
Lucky Signs for the Monkey
Famous people born under the monkey sign
Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Lord Byron, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Michael Douglas, Alice Walker, Celine Dion, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera, Owen Wilson, Daniel Craig, Mick Jagger, Bette Davis, Annie Oakley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gisele Bundchen, Kim Cattrall, Nick Carter, Patricia Arquette, Alyson Stoner, Christina Ricci, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez.
Which Chinese Zodiac sign are you?
Your sign is derived from the year you were born in the Chinese lunar calendar. What does your Chinese zodiac sign mean?
In Chinese astrology, the 12 animal zodiac signs each have unique characteristics.
<
