Chinese New Year Travel: How to Plan Your Spring Festival Tour
The Spring Festival in 2026 falls on February 17th. The Spring Festival holiday runs from February 15th to February 23rd, lasting a total of 9 days. The celebrations will continue until the Lantern Festival on March 3rd.
During this period, some scenic spots will be temporarily closed, and different spots will reopen at different times. You can wait and come after the Spring Festival holiday, when all scenic spots will be open as usual.
Is Spring Festival a Good Time to Go to China
If you don't like crowds, traveling to China during the Spring Festival is a great choice. During the Spring Festival, many Chinese people go back to the countryside to celebrate the coming new year, so there are few people in cities, and it's quiet. However, transportation, hotels, and restaurants in cities will all operate as usual.
If you're interested in Chinese culture, the Spring Festival is also a good time for your trip. The Spring Festival is the most important in China. Cities across the country will celebrate the New Year in a lively way.
You can see many things with Chinese characteristics everywhere. There will satisfy your curiosity, such as temple fairs, lion dances, dragon dances, streets full of red lanterns, and shops displaying the God of Wealth at their entrances.
What You May Face During Your Chinese New Year Trip
The Spring Festival is a peak travel period, and you may encounter quite a few travel problems. But don't worry too much; there are ways to solve them.
1. Hard to buy train tickets
Many migrant workers will take the train home to reunite with their families one week before the Spring Festival. This is called the Spring Festival travel rush in China. The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush will last from February 2nd to March 14th. During this period, train tickets are hard to buy, and train stations are crowded.
You can book tickets 15 days in advance on China Train Booking, and we'll do our best to help you get them.
2. Overcrowded tourist attractions
During the Spring Festival, people are mainly distributed in rural areas and tourist attractions. Those going to rural areas are going home for the festival, while those going to tourist attractions are out for sightseeing.
You should book tickets for tourist attractions in advance and avoid the popular local attractions. Otherwise, you'll spend most of your time queuing.
3. Many shops are closed
Small restaurants and shopping stores will temporarily close. It's hard to find a place to eat on the streets. However, large shopping malls and restaurants will operate as usual.
You'd better choose a hotel near the city's business district so that it's easier to find shops that are still open.
4. Hard to get a taxi
Many drivers don't work during the Spring Festival. Even if you manage to get a taxi, the price will be much higher than usual.
You'd better take the bus or subway. These lines operate normally, and there are fewer people on them.
What You Would See During Your Chinese New Year Tour
Traveling during the Spring Festival isn't just a sightseeing trip; it's more like a journey where you collide with Chinese culture. You'll see all kinds of celebrations and New Year customs.
1. Red all over the streets
During the Chinese New Year, lanterns and Spring Festival couplets are essential decorations. They not only make the festive atmosphere stronger but also drive away evil spirits.
2. Giving red envelopes
Red envelopes are given by elders to children, with money wrapped in red paper, representing their full blessings for the younger generation. Nowadays, with the prevalence of mobile payments, Chinese people also send red envelopes to others on WeChat.
3. Dragon and lion dances
Both lions and dragons are considered auspicious animals in China, bringing good luck. People imitate the soaring movements of dragons and the lively jumps of lions, dancing to the lively sounds of gongs and drums. This makes the scene extremely festive and brings good luck and blessings for the new year.
4. Temple fairs
Spring Festival temple fairs are large gatherings held around temples or in bustling urban areas, attracting a large crowd of people. At that time, people will perform dragon and lion dances and stilt-walking shows here. There are many distinctive foods and handicrafts, such as candied haws and paper cuttings.
5. Lantern shows
In places like parks and squares, various shapes of lanterns and colored lights are hung up. Some are made in the shapes of animals, and some resemble flowers. When night falls, these lanterns and colored lights will light up, creating a dazzling display.
Best Destinations to Travel During the Chinese New Year
The most popular cities for Spring Festival travel are Beijing, Chongqing, Harbin, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. You can not only experience the festive celebration atmosphere but also feel the charm of their regional scenery.
Beijing
If you like Chinese culture, you mustn't miss temple fairs during the Spring Festival. Temple fairs in Beijing are really lively, especially those at Ditan Park and Longtan Park. At temple fairs, you can watch traditional lantern show performances, eat authentic local food, and also feel the unique charm of traditional Chinese handicrafts.
How to Get to Ditan Park: Take Line 2 or Line 5 and get off at Yonghegong Station, and come out from Exit A.
Chongqing
Chongqing is famous for its magical, 8D-like cityscape and its cyberpunk-style night views. At night, by the bank of the Jialing River, you can see the night view of Hongya Cave on the opposite shore. There's also an incredibly impressive drone show, and the drones form all kinds of different shapes in the sky. The best spot to watch is Jiangbeizui Riverside Park.
How to Get to Jiangbeizui Riverside Park: Take Line 6, get off at Grand Theatre Station, and exit through Exit 3-1.
Harbin
After China successfully hosted the Winter Olympics, winter sports have become increasingly popular in China. Harbin, known as the Ice City, is a great place to experience ice and snow activities. Harbin Ice and Snow World features thousands of ice and snow sculptures, along with super exciting activities themed around the Year of the Horse.
There are also plenty of entertainment options, like ice bikes, snowmobiles, and thrilling ice slides. Don't miss riding the 400-foot (about 122-meter) tall Ferris wheel, where you can take in the whole beautiful view of the ice and snow world from up there.
How to Get to Harbin Ice and Snow World: Take Line 2 to Ice and Snow World Station, and come out from Exit 4.
Xian
Xi'an was the capital city for 13 ancient Chinese dynasties, and it's also where you can find the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. The handmade Terracotta Warriors, though made as burial companions for the emperor, are so finely crafted that they look strikingly lifelike at first glance when you see them.
Every Spring Festival, you can enjoy a lantern fair on the Xi'an City Wall. It's usually themed around the zodiac animal of that year. Different designs of the zodiac animal are picked from historical artifacts and paintings and then recreated for you in the form of lanterns.
How to Get to Xi'an City Wall: Take Line 2, get off at Yongningmen Station, and exit from Exit A1.
How to Get to the Terracotta Army: Take Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station, exit from Exit C, then transfer to Bus 631 and get off at Terracotta Warriors Station.
Chengdu
Chengdu is well-known for its spicy hot pot and those super cute giant pandas. On a chilly day, having a bite of chili oil hot pot at a roadside restaurant will warm you up right away. You can also get up close to pandas at the Wolong Nature Reserve. Their cuteness will just melt your heart.
After dinner, it's fantastic to catch a Sichuan opera face-changing show at Shufeng Yayun. Sipping tea while watching the performance is incredibly relaxing. Besides, you can even head backstage to interact with the performers and feel the charm of Sichuan opera art up close!
How to Get to Wolong Nature Reserve: Taking the coach from Mirui Shopping Plaza to Wolong Nature Reserve takes 2.5 hours and costs CNY 38. The departure times are 7:00 and 12:00.
How to Get to Shufeng Yayun: Take Line 2, get off at Tonghuimen Station, and exit from Exit A.
Guangzhou
There will be a dragon and lion parade in Yongqingfang, Guangzhou. The parade features golden dragons, lively lions, and the God of Wealth, among others. They will walk around the scenic area or the streets. You can join the parade, touch the lion's head, pat its tail, and soak up some good luck for the New Year.
Don't miss the eye-dotting ceremony for the lions at the beginning. This ceremony bestows spirituality on the lions and brings blessings, allowing them to help ward off evil spirits for you.
How to Get to Yongqingfang: Take Line 1 and transfer to Line 6, get off at Huangsha Station, and exit from Exit B.
Sanya
Although the Spring Festival is still in winter and it's cold in most parts of China, if you can't stand the cold weather, Sanya is the best place to go. It is in the tropics and a great place to escape the cold.
The most beautiful beach here is Yalong Bay. You can bask in the sun on the beach, sip a glass of sweet coconut water, and enjoy the gentle sea breeze, fully savoring the warmth and comfort this city offers.
How to Get to Yalong Bay: Taking the train from Sanya Railway Station to Yalong Bay Station takes 10 minutes, and a second-class seat costs CNY8. Then, take a taxi from the railway station to Yalong Bay, which takes 20 minutes and costs CNY30.
Book a Chinese New Year Travel With Us
Traveling during the Spring Festival can bring many difficulties. If you can't handle them well, it'll delay the rest of your trip. Book with us, and your dedicated travel advisor and guide will do their best to assist you in resolving any issues. If a scenic spot closes temporarily, we'll arrange another one for you.
8-Day Chengdu Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing Tour