Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi's new world-class Central Business District (CBD) at the heart of the UAE capital, is to mount a series of celebrations to mark next month's Chinese New Year and celebrate 'The Lunar Year of the Horse.' Running Thursday 30 January to Saturday 1 February 2014, the celebrations will include live music performances, art exhibitions, traditional craft displays, food stalls and a fireworks display.

UAE residents and visitors to the Emirates will be able to experience authentic Chinese culture through  waterfront promenade activities, including a Chinese calligraphy workshop, kite painting lessons, a horse whisperer photo exhibition, and portrait painters, creating a celebratory atmosphere all set amongst a landscape of thousands of decorative Chinese lanterns.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi's premier shopping and dining destination, will host traditional Chinese music performances in its Great Room and festive decorations in red and gold tones. On 31 January - Chinese New Year Day - a dragon show will come to life on the promenade and be followed by a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by Chinese music, which will light up Al Maryah Island and its surrounds. 

To commemorate the Lunar Year of the Horse, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, the island's ultra-luxury hotel, will treat guests to a traditional red envelope and chocolates wrapped in gold foil in each room, believed to bestow luck, health and prosperity on the receiver. Rosewood's Aqua restaurant will serve up renowned Chinese delicacies, and Glo, its glamorous open-air lounge, will host a chic Chinese New Year's eve party on 30 and 31 January.

Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director, Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, said: "Al Maryah Island is a visionary mixed-use district which offers first-class retail, hotel, residential, leisure and commercial amenities alluring to both Abu Dhabi residents and guests from abroad. In the past year, we welcomed a significant number of Chinese visitors, reflecting the increasing number of tourists from China choosing to travel to the UAE capital and select Al Maryah Island as their lifestyle destination of choice. 

"We have developed strong ties with the Chinese market and are committed to furthering our collaboration by creating tailored offerings that specifically cater to Chinese travellers, as well as sharing our customs and culture. Abu Dhabi's traditional equestrian roots could not find a better platform to launch these initiatives than in the Year of the Horse, and we are proud to make Al Maryah Island the focal point for Chinese New Year celebrations in the capital and look forward to making this a successful annual event." he added.

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About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.