Visitors to this year's River Hongbao will get a taste of Guangzhou and Taiwan at the nine-day event. The annual Chinese New Year carnival will feature performers, food and handicrafts from both places.

Stage performers include the highly acclaimed Nanfang Song and Dance Company, acrobats from Shantou Acrobatic and Magic Troupe and dancers from the National Taiwan University of Arts. There will also be be puppet shows and interactive lantern displays.

At the Food Street, visitors can try Guangzhou delicacies such as Guangdong steamed pork, grilled quail eggs and the Guangzhou fish cake.

The River Hongbao 2013 light-up ceremony starts at 8pm on Friday at The Float @ Marina Bay and the carnival, which is into its 27th year, ends on Feb 16.