All things bunny: Rabbits rule Queensbay Mall’s ‘Auspicious Spring Tu You’ magic garden with rabbit sculptures of all shapes and sizes seen throughout the display. — JEREMY TAN/The Star
IT’S an invasion of rabbits of all colours and sizes at Penang’s shopping malls.
These invasions, however, are most welcome and have brought joy to visitors.
The decorative creatures have taken up residence among floral blooms and gold ingots, some flashing warm smiles while others have paws clasped in salutary poses.
These sculptures that represent the next Chinese animal zodiac add a soft touch to the grand and auspicious displays set up for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
StarMetro explored some of the notable and social media-worthy ones.
In Queensbay Mall, there is no mistaking which animal reigns supreme in the pastel-coloured, magic garden that has sprung up for the ‘Auspicious Spring Tu You’ festivities.
The theme is a play on the word ‘tu’ which is rabbit in Chinese. They come in all shapes and sizes. Those popping up from under peonies or holding on to carrots are like magnets for shoppers waiting to take photos.
Cherry blossoms and floral pathways also dot the landscape in between rabbit-shaped structures and a replica of the moon, which references a Chinese legend about the jade rabbit living on Earth’s rocky satellite.
Centre manager Lee Sue Ling shares that rabbits are regarded as one of the luckiest animals in the zodiac as they symbolise longevity, elegance, beauty, intelligence and peace.
“They bring an adorable and feel-good character to our decorations. This also creates an avenue for younger generations to learn the traditional folklore,” she said.
Shoppers posing for wefie against the giant cherry blossom tree in Sunway Carnival Mall’s Garden of Abundance.
Sunway Carnival Mall welcomes shoppers to pat the fortune bunnies found within the Garden of Abundance that serves as a focal point for its celebrations themed ‘Blooming Happiness’.
A walk up the Stairs to Success also brings one closer to a 5m-tall cherry blossom tree. Majestic pavilions, larger-than-life flowers and an augmented-reality pond complete the rosy scene.
“Besides ushering in luck, fortune and happiness for 2023, these elements also give shoppers opportunities to make memories with family and friends,” said general manager Chai Wen Yew.
Shoppers strolling through Gurney Paragon Mall’s Prosperity Blooms Tunnel will feel auspicious vibes from the 30,000 faux mandarin oranges, gold coins and bunnies. — Photos: JEREMY TAN/The Star and courtesy photos
At Gurney Paragon Mall, rabbits invite visitors to ‘Hop Into Prosperity’ with a leisurely stroll under a 24m-long installation brimming with 30,000 faux mandarin oranges.
This saw the display, known as the Prosperity Blooms Tunnel, awarded the title of ‘Most Mandarin Orange Replicas in Chinese New Year Decorations’ by the Malaysia Book of Records.
Its chief operating officer Christopher Wong Hong Wai presented the certification recently.
Khor Tze Ming, executive director of the mall’s owners Hunza Properties Group, was delighted with the accolade as it got the mall’s 45th anniversary celebrations this year off to a roaring start.
“Chinese New Year is never complete without mandarin oranges as they represent riches. Being showered with so many would multiply your good fortune,” Khor said.
Shoppers exploring the symbolic port that has sprung up for Gurney Plaza’s ‘A Prosperous Voyage’ festivities, anchored by a giant Ming treasure ship.
In Gurney Plaza, more of the agile creatures have sailed in with an 11.5m-long Ming era treasure ship. Spot them around the base of cherry blossom trees, each with different facial expressions.
There are also several smaller boats, wooden walkways, a rest area and contrasting yellow lanterns. The whole scene is meant to evoke a port, in line with the theme ‘A Prosperous Voyage’.
CapitaLand general manager of mall management Peter Chan said it embodied their hope that things would be smooth sailing for everyone in the year ahead.
“We’ve never done a port before and felt it would be appropriate as our mall faces the waterfront. The walkways encourage shoppers to move around and get different photo angles.
“Normally when we get older, we lose the sense of magic from festive seasons. We try to bring that awe and wonder back,” Chan said.
Children enjoying the basket swings hanging from a cherry blossom tree in Straits Quay’s ‘The Blooming Blossoms’ display site.
Elsewhere in Straits Quay, a breezy oriental garden has taken shape for ‘The Blooming Blossoms’ festivities. Giant red lanterns and pathways frame a large cherry blossom tree.
From this, hang several basket swings that visitors can kick back in. At night, it comes alive with lights and even revolves.
At Sunshine Square, a large arch bedecked with floral motifs, windmills and gold coins stands at one of its entrances to welcome patrons.
Besides shopping malls, several Penang hotels have also put up rabbit-themed decorations to enliven the festive atmosphere for local and foreign tourists alike.
This includes The Granite Luxury Hotel with a giant, faux rose-covered bunny at its driveway. The sculpture first made an appearance before Christmas, but has since undergone an oriental makeover and is now accompanied by gold coins, red lanterns and lots of flowers.
“Now that the Covid-19 pandemic gloom has greatly reduced, we hope these decorations can brighten guests’ stays and create opportunities for nice photo keepsakes.
“On behalf of our team, we want to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! Let’s continue to keep the country safe and growing,” said hotel general manager Moh Wei Ken.
A cute bunny on G Hotel Gurney’s sign seemingly waves at passers-by.
G Hotel Gurney’s roadside G sign has similarly undergone a seasonal transformation. Now, there’s a cheerful bunny with paws outstretched seemingly waving to passers-by.
Flowers, gold coins, lanterns, red packets and even a representation of fireworks, encapsulate all the seasonal charm within the shape of the alphabet.
In the neighbouring state of Kedah, Aman Central hopes everyone will experience a precious season with its richly-symbolic display featuring all the quintessential elements of Chinese New Year.
Large gold and white bunnies sit under a golden tree, ready for selfie-hunting shoppers. There are also bridges straddling lotus ponds, pavilions, moon gates, flowers and lanterns all around.
Retail and commercial chief operating officer Lawrence Teh, speaking on behalf of mall owners Belleview Group, said footfall was steadily returning near pre-pandemic levels.
“We’ve come a long way and will continue striving to bring northern region folk exciting new shopping experiences each season,” he added.
