Chinese New Year: When Not to Fly to the Middle Kingdom

China is a dream destination for many travelers. The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the futuristic skyscrapers of Shanghai, and spicy Sichuan cuisine attract tourists all year round. However, there is a period in the calendar when a trip to this amazing country can turn from an oriental fairy tale into a logistical nightmare. We are talking about Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival (Chunjie). Why experienced guides advise avoiding these dates and when it’s best to postpone your suitcases — let’s look into the details.

The Great Migration of People

The main thing to know about Chinese New Year is that it’s not a tourist festival, but the main family holiday. In China, there is a concept called “Chunyun” — a seasonal migration that is considered the largest movement of people on the planet.

Hundreds of millions of Chinese working in megacities simultaneously travel to their home provinces to visit their parents. And a week or two later, they travel back.

• Transport Collapse. Buying a train ticket or a domestic flight during this time is practically impossible. Everything is sold out a month in advance. Train stations resemble anthills, where there’s no room to move.
• Traffic Jams. Toll roads become free, but this leads to multi-kilometer traffic jams that can be stuck for hours.

Closed Doors

European tourists are used to holidays meaning fairs, fun, and restaurants open late. In China, it’s different. In the first days of the New Year, city life comes to a standstill.

1. Restaurants and Cafes. Family-run establishments close as chefs and waiters go home. Only large chain hotels and fast food outlets remain open. Finding authentic Peking duck will be quite a quest.
2. Shops. Shopping is canceled. Many markets and retail outlets close for “holidays” that can last from 3 days to two weeks.

Tourist Spots: Shoulder to Shoulder

If you think that since the locals have gone home, the attractions are empty, you are mistaken. During the holidays, Chinese families go out for walks.

• The Great Wall of China turns into a living wall of people. You won’t see ancient masonry, only the backs of those walking ahead.
• The Forbidden City and Disneyland in Shanghai experience peak loads. Entrance queues stretch for hours. Taking a beautiful photo without a crowd in the frame is an impossible mission.

Prices Soar

The law of supply and demand in action. During the holidays, hotel prices increase 2–3 times. The same applies to flights.

If you want to save money and your nerves, plan your trip wisely. The best solution is to buy tickets to Beijing on Kupi.com for dates after the end of the holiday festivities (usually 15 days after the New Year according to the lunar calendar). Then you will catch the spring blossoms and comfortable weather without crowds.

A similar tip: look for tickets to Shanghai or Guangzhou for mid-March or autumn. This is the ideal time for a leisurely introduction to the culture of the Middle Kingdom.

But Are There Any Upsides?

To be fair, a trip during the New Year does have one upside — the atmosphere. Cities are decorated with red lanterns, fireworks boom everywhere (though often prohibited in city centers), dragon dances and temple fairs take place.

Conclusion: If your goal is an ethnographic expedition and you are ready for crowds, noise, and closed cafes, then you can take the risk. But if you want a comfortable vacation, sightseeing, and tranquility — check the lunar calendar and choose another time. China isn’t going anywhere, and your impressions will be much brighter.