Chinese New Year 2027 in China: Dates, Where to Go and What to Expect

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is the biggest holiday in China, and in 2027 it falls on Saturday, 6 February, with New Year’s Eve on 5 February. It’s a good time to see the country at its most festive, with red lanterns, temple fairs and family dinners. It’s also the busiest travel period of the year, so planning makes more difference than in any other season.

When is Chinese New Year 2027?

The new year begins on 6 February 2027, in the Year of the Goat. The official public holiday schedule, which sets the days off and any swapped working days, is normally announced by the State Council in November, and it hadn’t been published when we checked. The holiday usually runs for about a week, and the first three days of the new year are the main peak.

What it’s like for travelers

Most Chinese people travel home to their families, and then many go on short trips. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism counted 596 million domestic trips over the 2026 holiday, a record. For visitors from abroad, that means three things:

• Trains and flights fill up well in advance, especially in the days before New Year’s Eve and just after the holiday ends.
• Popular sights are very crowded. The Great Tang All Day Mall in Xi’an received more than 4.3 million visitors during the 2026 holiday, and Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley about 1.26 million.
• Some businesses close. In smaller towns and for factories and shops that rely on migrant workers, many places shut for the first days. Big cities and tourist areas stay open.

On the other hand, big cities empty out a little as workers go home, traffic eases, and the festival atmosphere is real: fireworks, lion dances, markets and family meals.

Where to go

Beijing

Temple fairs, called miaohui, set up in parks and old temples, with snacks, games and performances. The Forbidden City requires real-name booking in advance, with tickets released about ten days ahead, and opening hours may be shorter on New Year’s Eve and the first day, so check the Palace Museum notice. See our guide to things to do in Beijing.

Xi’an

The city wall and the Great Tang All Day Mall are lit with lanterns and shows, and it’s one of the most popular festival destinations. See things to do in Xi’an.

Chengdu

Teahouses, temple fairs and the Kuanzhai Alley. The pandas stay on show through the holiday. See our Chengdu panda tour guide.

Shanghai

Yu Garden is traditionally hung with lanterns for the festival, and the city’s streets are quieter than usual. See our Shanghai private tour guide.

Harbin

The ice festival is in full season at this time. See the Harbin Ice Festival guide.

How to plan

1. Book early. Hotels, high-speed trains and domestic flights for the holiday week fill up months ahead. A private tour operator can hold space for you.
2. Avoid the first three days for big sights. The new year’s days one to three are the busiest. Visit the biggest sights before or after, or very early in the morning.
3. Allow flexibility. Trains and roads are slow around New Year’s Eve and the end of the holiday.
4. Pack for winter. It is cold in the north, with temperatures well below freezing in Beijing and Harbin.
5. Check your entry rules. Our guide to tours to China from the USA and the 240-hour transit guide explain the options for American travelers.

Planning it with Absolute Asia Tours

Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Chinese New Year, that means booking trains, hotels and entry tickets early, a private guide who knows when each site is quietest, and a route that avoids the busiest days. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. Have a look at our China tours or tell us your dates.

Sources (read in Chinese): Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Xinhua on the 2026 Spring Festival holiday; CCTV on the 2026 holiday peak; the National Development and Reform Commission on foreign arrivals in 2026; Chinese holiday calendars for the 2027 date. Last checked October 2026.

Chinese New Year in China: FAQ

When is Chinese New Year in 2027?

6 February 2027, with New Year’s Eve on 5 February. It is the Year of the Goat.

How long is the Chinese New Year holiday?

About a week. The official schedule is normally announced by the State Council in November.

Is it a good time to visit China?

It is festive but very busy. Book trains, hotels and tickets well ahead, and avoid the first three days for the biggest sights.

Do shops and restaurants close during Chinese New Year?

Many in smaller towns close for the first days. Big cities and tourist areas stay open.

Where is the best place to celebrate Chinese New Year in China?

Beijing for temple fairs, Xi’an for lanterns, Chengdu for teahouses and pandas, and Harbin for the ice festival.