Red couplets, fireworks, feasts, and family reunions—Chunjie, or the Spring Festival, ushers in the new year on China’s traditional calendar with joy and the warmth of home. In late 2024, Chunjie was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its deep roots in mythology, rituals, and traditions that stretch back thousands of years and continue to evolve today. As such, social transformation, cultural shifts, and generational divides also surface in a variety of holiday-related discussions and debates each year. Chunjie acts as a mirror reflecting China’s past, present, and future. From history and myths to featured reporting, personal accounts, photo stories, food, and language, dive into our holiday collection below to explore what keeps the Spring Festival alive.
Myths and History
Uncover the history of Chinese New Year, from the mythical beast Nian to the evolution of ancient traditions and legends
How the Lunar New Year Was Celebrated in Ancient Chinese Poetry
Changing depictions of the Lunar New Year in ancient Chinese poetry
Spring Festival Today
Should holiday fireworks be banned for safety and environmental reasons? What is the annual migration like from the city to rural homes? Discover what the holiday means for everyday Chinese people.
Food
Not just dumplings—explore the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the Lunar New Year throughout China
Chinese New Year Language Guide
Check out our holiday language guide, from dodging nosy marriage questions to planning post-holiday weight loss, along with key Chinese idioms and phrases
The pressure to marry and have children is one of the most common sources of conflict, especially for women, during family gatherings
Learn how Chinese netizens navigated the Chinese Lunar New Year >
“Falling leaves return to the roots,” or all things go back to their source eventually
The CCTV Spring Festival Gala is the state media’s annual celebration of the Lunar New Year and an enduring Spring Festival tradition for the nation
“Years flowing like water” is an idiom equivalent to “time flies”—it describes a period of great enjoyment that passes quickly, like flowing water
“New year, new atmosphere. I will start exercising.”
More than Chunjie
As a multi-ethnic nation, China celebrates not only the Lunar New Year but also many other New Years. Explore the unique traditions and customs of ethnic minority New Years.