The Biggest Holiday in the World — Customs, Food & Travel
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (Chunjie), is the most important holiday in China — a time of family reunions, fireworks, feasts, and ancient customs. It's also the world's largest annual human migration, with billions of trips made as people return home. This guide explains the traditions and how to experience the festival as a traveler.
Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, so the date changes each year. It falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month and celebrations traditionally last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals — 2026 is the Year of the Horse (starting February 17, 2026).
Major customs include: (1) Spring Cleaning — homes are thoroughly cleaned before the New Year to sweep away bad luck; (2) Decorations — red couplets, paper cuttings, and lanterns are hung to attract good fortune; (3) New Year's Eve Dinner (Nianyefan) — the most important meal of the year, a family reunion feast; (4) Red Envelopes (Hongbao) — money given to children and unmarried relatives in red packets; (5) Fireworks and Firecrackers — to scare away the mythical beast Nian; (6) Visiting relatives and friends with New Year greetings.
Food plays a central role: dumplings (jiaozi) symbolize wealth and are eaten at midnight; fish (yu) symbolizes surplus — served whole for good luck; spring rolls and glutinous rice cakes (niangao) represent rising prosperity; tangyuan (sweet rice balls) are eaten at the Lantern Festival. Each region has specialties. For travelers, a home-style New Year's dinner is an unforgettable cultural experience.
Traveling in China during Spring Festival is a double-edged sword. The transport-hub crowds and ticket scarcity are legendary — book everything months ahead. Many restaurants and shops close for a week, and attractions can be extremely crowded. However, cities transform with decorations, and you can witness spectacular celebrations. Best approach: book well in advance, expect closures, and consider celebrating in a smaller city or with a curated tour.
Chunyun, the 40-day travel period around the festival, is the world's largest annual human migration — over 3 billion trips. Trains, flights, and buses are packed. If you're traveling during this period, book train tickets the moment they go on sale (usually 15 days before departure), consider flying if possible, and allow generous buffer time. Avoid travel on the peak days (the days just before and after New Year's Eve).
The 15-day festival includes: New Year's Eve (family dinner, staying up late); Day 1 (visiting elders); Day 2 (visiting in-laws); Day 5 (the God of Wealth's birthday — when many businesses reopen); Day 7 (everyone's 'birthday' — the day people are said to age one year); Day 15 (Lantern Festival — lantern displays, riddles, and tangyuan). Regional highlights include the Harbin Ice Festival, temple fairs, and dragon dances.
To experience Spring Festival authentically: (1) Join a temple fair (miaohui) — food stalls, performances, and games; (2) Watch the dragon and lion dances; (3) Enjoy fireworks displays (in permitted areas); (4) Try festive foods at local restaurants that remain open; (5) Visit a family if invited — the warmest welcome; (6) See the lantern displays at the Lantern Festival. Ask your tour operator about festival experiences — many offer special New Year tours.
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