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The Ultimate Guide to Chinese New Year

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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.

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.

Photo Stories

From leaping into fire for good fortune to parades with kids dressed as gods, explore stunning photos showcasing Lunar New Year celebrations across 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

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.