Traveling During Chinese New Year: What to Expect & How to Prepare
If you’ve ever considered traveling in China during Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), let me be the first to tell you: don’t do it unless you absolutely have to. I learned this the hard way.
It’s the largest annual human migration on the planet, with hundreds of millions of people traveling to reunite with family. This means trains are impossible to book, flights cost a fortune, hotels are packed, tourist attractions are overwhelmed, and crowds are so dense it feels borderline dangerous.
If you’re still thinking about braving the chaos, here’s what you need to know before you go.
1. Forget About Easily Booking Transportation
China’s train system is usually super efficient, but during Chinese New Year? Good luck.
Tickets sell out within minutes of being released—sometimes seconds if you’re trying to book a popular route. I tried multiple times to book high-speed train tickets, only to be met with the dreaded "sold out" notification immediately after tickets went live. If you don’t book the exact moment they drop (or use an agency that can auto-buy for you), you’re probably out of luck.
And flights? Expect to pay two to four times the normal price for even short domestic routes.
🚨 Tip: If you must travel, book tickets the second they go on sale (usually 15 days before for trains and earlier for flights). Consider taking slower overnight trains or buses as a last resort.
2. Hotels Are Booked Out & Overpriced
If you think you can just roll into a city and find a place to stay, think again.
Hotels fill up quickly, and prices surge dramatically. I saw budget hotels charging luxury prices simply because demand was so high. Even hostels were packed, leaving travelers scrambling for any available bed.
🚨 Tip: Book hotels at least a month in advance if you’re traveling during Chinese New Year. Otherwise, you may find yourself with no options—or paying triple the normal rate.
3. Tourist Attractions Are a Nightmare
I had my heart set on visiting the Shanxi Museum during my trip, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get tickets. Not once, not twice—four times.
Each time, tickets sold out in literal seconds.
And it’s not just museums. Every major attraction—from the Great Wall to pandas in Chengdu—was swarmed with visitors. Some places had lines so long that waiting felt like a second full-time job.
🚨 Tip: If there’s a must-see attraction on your list, book tickets in advance if possible or go right when it opens. Otherwise, prepare for disappointment.
🚨 Note: As a foreigner, you might have a slightly easier time booking tickets since some platforms like Trip.com and Klook reserve blocks of tickets specifically for international travelers. However, this is not a guarantee—tickets still sell out insanely fast, and availability is limited. If you're relying on these platforms, check frequently and book the moment tickets are released!
4. The Crowds Are Overwhelming (and Sometimes Unsafe)
I’ve dealt with crowds before, but nothing compares to the sheer volume of people moving around during Chinese New Year.
Subways? Packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Streets? Overflowing. Tourist spots? A sea of people.
And if you’re traveling with kids? I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. The risk of getting lost—or even crushed in the crowd—is very real.
🚨 Tip: If you’re not a fan of crowds, avoid big cities and popular tourist destinations. Smaller towns and nature spots may be slightly more manageable, but also harder to navigate without a personal driver on hand.
5. Don’t Get Fooled by Instagram Fireworks Videos
Fireworks are one of the most iconic parts of Chinese New Year—except in many big cities, they’re banned.
Shanghai, Beijing, and other major cities have outlawed fireworks due to safety concerns and air pollution. But if you scroll through Instagram or TikTok, you’ll still see videos of massive firework displays from “last year” or “last night” when in reality, they’re from smaller towns—or from years ago before the bans went into effect.
🚨 Tip: If fireworks are on your must-see list, do your homework. Head to smaller cities or the countryside where firework bans aren’t as strict. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if your Chinese New Year in Shanghai is much quieter than expected.
6. Want to See the Festivities? Go for the Calendar New Year Instead
One of the biggest reasons people travel during Chinese New Year is to experience the performances, decorations, and festive atmosphere. But here’s a little secret:
🌟 You can see similar celebrations during the Calendar New Year (January 1st).
Many cities put up the same red lanterns, dragon dances, and light displays for both holidays. The key difference? Chinese New Year comes with a national holiday week, meaning every major tourist spot gets flooded with domestic travelers.
🚨 Tip: If you just want to enjoy the festive vibes, visit around January 1st instead of late January/February. You’ll still get crowds, but nothing like the insanity of Spring Festival.
Final Thoughts
Traveling during Chinese New Year in China is an experience—and not necessarily a pleasant one. Unless you absolutely have to travel, I strongly recommend avoiding it. The crowds, skyrocketing prices, and near-impossible ticketing system make it one of the most challenging times to move around the country.
If you want to see the celebrations without the chaos, plan your trip for New Year’s Eve on January 1st instead. Trust me, your future self will thank you.