Last updated: October 28, 2026
Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China and the trigger for the largest annual human migration on Earth. For a visitor it is two things at once: a spectacular cultural moment with lanterns, temple fairs and fireworks, and a logistical challenge. This guide explains the 2027 dates, what really closes, how to move around, where to go (and avoid), and how to budget.
Chinese New Year 2027 dates at a glance
| Date (2027) | What happens |
|---|---|
| ~Jan 22 | Chunyun travel rush begins (about 40 days) |
| Jan 23 to Feb 4 | Peak outbound movement from big cities to hometowns; train tickets sell out fast |
| Fri, Feb 5 | New Year’s Eve: family reunion dinner, fireworks after dark |
| Sat, Feb 6 | Chinese New Year’s Day, Year of the Goat |
| Feb 7 to 12 | Holiday days; temple fairs, family visits; many businesses closed or on reduced hours |
| Feb 20 | Lantern Festival (15th day), the traditional close of the celebrations |
| Early March | Chunyun ends; return travel rush finishes |
Important caveat: the official 2027 holiday notice, including the exact days off and the weekend make-up workdays (调休), had not been published as of this writing. Sources currently quote anything from Feb 4 to Feb 12 or 13 for the break. Check the State Council announcement (normally early November) before you lock in non-refundable bookings.
Should you visit China during Spring Festival?
Pros
- Cities are festively decorated: red lanterns, goat-themed displays, light installations.
- Big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai get noticeably quieter on the roads as migrant workers leave.
- Temple fairs (miaohui), lion dances and fireworks offer a cultural experience you cannot get in other months.
- Cold-weather destinations like Harbin are at their best (see our Harbin Ice Festival 2027 guide).
Cons
- Intercity trains and domestic flights are expensive and sell out; popular routes can be full weeks ahead.
- Many family-run restaurants, small shops and some attractions close for several days.
- Hotel prices spike at tourist destinations; Sanya, Yunnan, Chengdu and Harbin are especially busy.
- Famous sights, such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Shanghai’s Bund, can be extremely crowded on days 2 to 5.
- Winter weather in the north is bitterly cold.
What actually closes (and what stays open)
| Type | Typical situation |
|---|---|
| Major sights (Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, pandas) | Usually open, often with timed tickets that sell out; hours can change, so check official channels |
| Hotels, chains and airport/rail food | Open |
| Big shopping malls and international chains | Mostly open, sometimes shorter hours on New Year’s Eve and Day 1 |
| Small local restaurants and street stalls | Many closed from Eve until about Day 3 to 7 |
| Delivery apps and couriers | Slower, with fewer riders and surcharges; shipments stop for about a week |
| Banks and government offices | Closed during the official holiday |
Practical tip: stock up on snacks and water on New Year’s Eve, eat at hotel restaurants or malls on Day 1, and have one or two backup dinner options saved in your maps app.
Getting around during chunyun
High-speed trains
China’s rail system sells tickets about 15 days ahead for most routes. For Spring Festival that window is the key moment, so mark your calendar and have your account and passport details ready. Our guide to booking China train tickets as a foreigner covers apps, passport registration and station tips. Allow extra time at stations: queues for security and ticket gates are long, and you need your passport.
Flights
Domestic fares typically rise sharply around the holiday and on the last days of January. Fly on New Year’s Eve itself or on Day 1 for lighter airports and often lower prices than the surrounding days. Avoid the last days of the holiday, when everyone returns to the big cities.
Ride-hailing and taxis
Drivers also go home, so wait times are longer and surge pricing is common on Eve and Day 1. Pre-book airport transfers where you can. See our essential apps guide for setting up ride-hailing and maps.
Where to go: best and worst picks in 2027
| Destination | Why go | Crowd level |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Temple fairs, fewer residents, deep winter atmosphere; see our 3-day Beijing itinerary | Sights busy, city calmer |
| Shanghai | Lantern displays, Yu Garden festivities; use our 2-day itinerary | High at major landmarks |
| Harbin | Ice and Snow World runs into the holiday | Very high, book early |
| Chengdu | Mild-ish winter, pandas, hotpot; see the panda base guide | High |
| Hong Kong and Macau | Parade, fireworks and horse racing | High |
| Southern coast and Yunnan | Warm weather | Peak domestic demand |
If you want fewer crowds, consider arriving a few days after the holiday ends or choosing a single base city and day trips rather than hopping between cities in the middle of the rush. Our overview of the best time to visit China compares the other seasons.
Budget: what changes during the holiday
There are no fixed official price tables, so treat the following as planning guidance rather than quotes. Expect hotel rates in popular destinations to run well above normal and domestic airfare to be at its yearly high. High-speed rail fares are mostly fixed by distance, but the cheaper seats sell out first. Our China trip cost breakdown gives normal-season baselines (in CNY and USD) you can compare against. As a rule of thumb, add a meaningful buffer to accommodation and domestic transport and keep restaurant spending flexible, because open venues can be pricier.
Step-by-step: how to plan a Spring Festival trip
- Choose dates after the schedule is published. Wait for the State Council notice in early November, then confirm your off days.
- Book international flights and visa first. Check whether you qualify for visa-free entry with our visa-free guide, and note that a 240-hour transit stay has to fit your route.
- Reserve hotels early in popular cities, preferring free-cancellation rates. New to booking? Read how to book hotels in China as a foreigner.
- Keep internal travel to a minimum. One or two intercity moves are far easier than five.
- Sort mobile payments and data before you land: payments and an eSIM.
- Book timed tickets for the major sights as soon as they are released, usually through official mini-programs.
- Plan food for New Year’s Eve and Day 1, because many local restaurants will be shut.
Etiquette and cultural tips
- Red envelopes (hongbao): money gifts given in red envelopes, increasingly sent digitally. As a visitor you are not expected to give them, but you may be offered one if invited to a home.
- Greetings: “Xin nian kuai le” (Happy New Year) or “Gong xi fa cai” will be appreciated.
- Fireworks: many big cities restrict or ban them in central areas; where they are allowed, the noise and smoke on Eve are intense. Pack earplugs if you are sensitive.
- Gifts: if you are invited to a family meal, bring fruit, tea or sweets; avoid clocks and sharp objects.
- Dress warmly: northern China can drop well below freezing.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming restaurants and shops will be open as usual.
- Leaving train tickets until the last minute.
- Booking back-to-back city changes on the final days of the holiday.
- Treating unofficial holiday dates as confirmed.
- Skipping other first-trip basics; our first-timer mistakes list is a good check.
FAQ
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Saturday, February 6, 2027, the start of the Year of the Goat. New Year’s Eve is Friday, February 5, and the Lantern Festival is on February 20.
How long is the public holiday?
Recent years have had eight to nine days. The official 2027 schedule is expected in early November, so exact dates remain provisional.
Is it a bad time to visit China?
Not bad, but different. If you are flexible and book early, you get a unique atmosphere. If you want an easy, low-cost trip with open restaurants, choose another season.
Are tourist attractions open?
Most major attractions stay open, often with timed reservations and sometimes adjusted hours. Smaller sites may close for a few days, so check before you go.
Can I still buy train tickets?
Yes, but popular routes sell out quickly once booking opens. Have a backup such as a different departure time or a flight.
Should I worry about delivery and ride-hailing?
Expect delays and surcharges on Eve and Day 1. Plan transfers in advance.
Want help planning around the rush?
Holiday logistics are where a little local help goes a long way: securing train and hotel options, building a low-stress route, and setting up payments and data before you land. Our Travel Concierge service builds independent-travel plans on request with a custom quote. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and interests.