Chinese New Year (Spring Festival, 春节) is the world's largest annual human migration. Over 3 billion trips are made during the 40-day travel rush. For travelers, this period is either a unique cultural experience or a logistical nightmare—usually both. Here's what you need to know.
When is Chinese New Year?
Dates change every year (lunar calendar):
2026: February 17 (Year of the Horse)
2027: February 6 (Year of the Goat)
2028: January 26 (Year of the Monkey)
The official holiday is 7 days, but the travel rush spans 15 days before and 25 days after.
What Happens During CNY
Mass Migration
Hundreds of millions of people travel from cities to their hometowns. Train tickets sell out instantly. Flights are expensive. Roads are jammed.
Business Shutdown
Many businesses close for 1-2 weeks:
Restaurants: Many close, especially small/medium ones
Shops: Smaller shops close; malls stay open
Services: Hair salons, dry cleaners, convenience stores may close
Government offices: Closed for the week
Banks: Limited hours
Price Surge
Everything costs more: hotels (2-3x), flights (2x), tour packages. Supply drops while domestic demand spikes.
Crowds at Tourist Sites
Domestic tourists flock to warm destinations (Sanya, Xishuangbanna) and major cities. Expect crowds everywhere popular.
Should You Travel During CNY?
Reasons to Avoid
Transportation chaos—trains booked solid, flight delays common
Many restaurants and shops closed
Prices 2-3x normal
Crowds at major attractions
Less authentic experience—locals are with family, not working
Reasons to Go
Unique cultural experience—festivities, fireworks, traditions
Temple fairs and celebrations in Beijing, Shanghai
Hong Kong and Macau have spectacular celebrations
Fireworks everywhere (where allowed)
Family atmosphere—people are relaxed and celebratory
Best Places During CNY
Hong Kong
Best of both worlds: spectacular CNY celebrations (parade, fireworks over Victoria Harbour) but businesses stay open. Cantonese traditions, English widely spoken.
Macau
Casinos stay open 24/7. CNY celebrations mix Chinese and Portuguese traditions. Hotels expensive but available.
Beijing
Temple fairs at Ditan Park and other temples. Fireworks (though restricted in recent years). The city empties as migrant workers leave—traffic is actually lighter.
Harbin
Ice Festival is at its peak. CNY adds festive atmosphere to the frozen city. Very cold but magical.
Sanya (Hainan)
Warm weather escape. Extremely popular with domestic tourists—book months ahead. Prices surge.
Worst Places During CNY
Small towns: Everything closes. Nothing to do.
Factory cities (Dongguan, Shenzhen): Empty as workers leave.
Train stations: Avoid entirely during peak travel days.
Transportation Tips
Trains: Tickets go on sale 15 days before. They sell out in minutes. Use Trip.com or have a Chinese friend help on 12306.
Flights: Book months ahead. Expect delays. Have backup plans.
Driving: Roads are jammed. Don't rent a car during peak days.
Best strategy: Arrive before the rush (10+ days before CNY) or after (10+ days after).
What to Expect Open/Closed
Open
Closed
Major hotels
Small restaurants
Shopping malls
Street food vendors
Tourist attractions
Small shops
Chain restaurants (some)
Local services
Convenience stores (some)
Government offices
CNY Traditions to Know
Red envelopes (hongbao): Money given to children and unmarried adults
Reunion dinner: New Year's Eve—families gather
Dumplings: Eaten at midnight (north China)
Fish: Must-have dish (sounds like "surplus")
Fireworks: Midnight on New Year's Eve
Red clothes: Wear red for luck
Pro tip: If you want to experience Chinese New Year, Hong Kong is your best bet—celebrations are spectacular, everything stays open, and you can actually get around. Mainland China is more authentic but logistically challenging.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May): Mild temperatures and blooming landscapes. Great for outdoor sightseeing. Crowds are moderate before summer.
Summer (June-August): Warm and hot. Peak domestic travel season. Ideal for water activities and festivals.
Autumn (September-November): Comfortable weather with clear skies. Best season for hiking and outdoor exploration.
Winter (December-February): Cool in the south, cold in the north. Good time for budget travelers.
Where to Stay
City Center (Recommended): Easy access to restaurants, attractions, and public transport. Mid-range hotels from 200 RMB/night, luxury from 600 RMB/night.
Budget Option: Hostels and guesthouses near train stations. Dorm beds from 60 RMB/night, private rooms from 150 RMB/night.
Business Hotels: Chains like Vienna, 7Days from 180-300 RMB/night. Reliable for first-time visitors.
Luxury Pick: International 5-star hotels from 800 RMB/night. English-speaking staff included.
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Main Attractions: Visit top must-see landmarks. Try local specialty dishes at well-reviewed restaurants. Continue with museums or cultural sites. Evening city skyline lights.
Day 2 - Nature and Culture: Hiking, parks, or nearby natural attractions (3-4 hours). Local street food for lunch. Visit temples or old towns. Evening night market.
Day 3 - Hidden Gems: Explore lesser-known neighborhoods. One last meal at famous local restaurant. Souvenir shopping at pedestrian streets.
Local Cuisine
Local specialty: Try the most famous local dish at recommended restaurants (50-80 RMB/person).
Street food: Local snack streets offer authentic flavors at 10-30 RMB per item.
Tea culture: Local tea houses serve traditional brews (20-50 RMB/person). A great cultural experience.
More Travel Tips
Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay accepted everywhere. Carry 200-500 RMB cash for small shops.
Internet: Google, Facebook blocked in China. Download a VPN before arrival.
Local etiquette: Dress modestly at temples. Tipping not expected. Avoid sensitive topics.
Health: Bring basic medical kit. Hospitals excellent but registration confusing for foreigners.
Emergency: Police 110, Fire 119, Ambulance 120.
Local Cuisine
Signature dish: Try the most famous local specialty at recommended restaurants (50-80 RMB/person).
Street food: Local night markets offer authentic snacks at 10-30 RMB per item.
Tea culture: Traditional tea houses serve local brews (20-50 RMB/person).
Regional flavors: Each region has unique tastes - ask locals for their recommendations.
Getting Around
Metro: Most cities have efficient metro systems. Day passes available (20-30 RMB).
Taxi/Didi: Affordable and convenient. Base fare 8-12 RMB.
Bus: Extensive network but slower. Useful for reaching suburbs.
Bike sharing: Mobike and HelloBike available in most cities (2-3 RMB per ride).
Additional Information
This page provides essential travel information for visitors to China. Please read carefully before your trip.
All information is regularly updated. If you find any outdated content, please contact us via the contact page.
Travel regulations in China change frequently. Always verify visa, health, and transport requirements before departure.
For real-time updates, follow official sources and check government travel advisories.
We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance before visiting China.
Practical Travel Tips
Getting local information: Visit the local tourist information center (usually near train stations or city squares). Free maps and event schedules available.
Using public transport: Most Chinese cities have affordable bus networks (2-3 RMB per ride). Buy a local transport card for convenience.
Evening safety: Chinese cities are generally safe at night. Stick to well-lit main streets after 22:00. Avoid unlicensed taxi services.
Photography etiquette: Ask permission before photographing locals, especially elderly people and children. Temples may prohibit indoor photography.
LocalSIMcards: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom all offer tourist SIMs (30-50 RMB/week) at airport counters.
Recommended Restaurants
Local specialty restaurant: Try the most famous dish of the region (50-80 RMB/person). Open 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00.
Street food area: Visit the night market (18:00-23:00). Local snacks 10-30 RMB per item.
Teahouse: Traditional tea service (20-50 RMB/person). Perfect for afternoon rest.
International options: Most cities have McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Western food 60-120 RMB/person.
Vegetarian: Buddhist vegetarian restaurants available in most cities (30-60 RMB buffet).
More Transportation Details
Airport shuttle: Most airports have express buses to city center (15-30 RMB, 45-90 minutes).
High-speed rail: China's rail network is world-class. Book tickets via Trip.com App before travel.
Metro systems: Major cities have extensive metro networks. Day passes cost 15-25 RMB for unlimited rides.
Bike sharing: Mobike and HelloBike are ubiquitous. Scan QR code with Alipay (1.5 RMB for 30 minutes).
Walking: Central districts are pedestrian-friendly. Many cities have pedestrian shopping streets.
Travel Budget and Costs
Budget travel (50-150 RMB/day): Hostels, street food, local buses, free attractions. Good for backpackers and students.
Mid-range travel (200-500 RMB/day): 3-star hotels, restaurant meals, metro and taxi rides. Comfortable for most travelers.
Luxury travel (600+ RMB/day): 5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours. Best experience with maximum comfort.
Money saving tips: Book trains via Trip.com app. Use metro day passes. Eat at local restaurants (not tourist ones). Avoid National Day and Chinese New Year for travel.
Tipping culture: Not expected in China. High-end international restaurants may add service charge. Round up taxi fare if service is excellent.
Cultural Experiences
Traditional opera: Local performance venues offer shows 80-200 RMB/person. Book via Trip.com.
Calligraphy workshops: Learn basic Chinese calligraphy at community centers (50-100 RMB/hour).
Tea ceremony: Participate in traditional tea ceremony (100-200 RMB/person). Reservations recommended.
Cooking class: Learn to make local dishes (200-400 RMB/person). Many include market tour and lunch.
Night activities: Public squares have free group dancing (tiaojiti). Join in - locals welcome visitors warmly.
Weather and Climate
Spring (March-May): Pleasant temperatures 15-25C. Great for outdoor activities. Some rain in southern regions.
Summer (June-August): Hot and humid 25-35C. Typhoon season in coastal areas. Best for mountain retreats.
Autumn (September-November): Cool and dry 15-25C. Most comfortable travel season. Clear skies perfect for photography.
Winter (December-February): Cold 0-10C in north, mild 10-15C in south. Indoor attractions recommended.