Top 10 Chinese New Year 2026 Destinations in China

10 Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in China 2026

Beijing

Beijing is one of the best places in China to experience the authentic spirit of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival). As the holiday approaches, the capital transforms into a festive wonderland: streets are adorned with red lanterns, Chinese knots, and couplets, while even subway stations feature vibrant lunar new year posters. The entire city radiates a strong cultural atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of this ancient celebration. One of the highlights of celebrating in Beijing is visiting the temple fairs, which are deeply rooted in Chinese New Year traditions.

Hong Kong

If you’re wondering why Hong Kong is one of the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year, the answer lies in its unique blend of modern festivities and traditional Chinese culture. This bustling international city brings a dazzling energy to the Spring Festival 2026, offering visitors an unforgettable holiday experience. The streets come alive with vibrant floats, lion and dragon dances, marching bands, and cultural performances that showcase both local and global artistry. The night sky bursts into color, reflecting across the harbor and creating a magical atmosphere that draws thousands of spectators.

Harbin

Head north to Harbin, where the Spring Festival takes on a magical twist with a backdrop of glittering ice and snow. Known as China’s winter wonderland, Harbin offers a celebration unlike anywhere else in the country. The highlight of the season is the world-famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, which coincides with the Lunar New Year. The centerpiece of this festival is the Harbin Ice and Snow World, an enormous park featuring towering ice sculptures, illuminated palaces, ice castles, and even full-scale temples carved from crystal-clear ice blocks. Each year, the theme of Ice and Snow World changes, often centered around the Chinese zodiac animal of the year, traditional folklore, or elements of Chinese architecture and heritage.

Xi’an

As one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China, Xi’an offers travelers a chance to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 in an atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the Tang Dynasty. Known as the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the legendary Terracotta Army, Xi’an combines its deep history with vibrant Spring Festival traditions.

During the Lunar New Year, the city’s landmarks, especially the Xi’an Ancient City Wall, the Drum Tower, and surrounding historic districts, are beautifully decorated with red lanterns, festive banners, and traditional Chinese ornaments. The streets glow with color, transforming Xi’an into a living storybook of China’s cultural heritage. Walking along the Ancient City Wall under glowing lanterns is an unforgettable experience, the perfect way to immerse yourself in the traditions of the past while celebrating the present.

Guangzhou

For a colorful and vibrant Chinese New Year experience, head south to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Known for its mild subtropical climate, Guangzhou is the perfect destination during the Spring Festival, when the city bursts into life with flower markets and festive fairs that reflect the region’s deep-rooted traditions. One of the highlights of celebrating the Lunar New Year in Guangzhou is visiting its famous flower fairs. These lively markets, held across the city, are filled with stalls selling fresh blossoms, potted plants, and festive decorations. Families gather to buy flowers not only for their beauty but also for their symbolic meanings in Cantonese culture.

Chongqing

Nestled in the mountains of southwestern China, Chongqing offers a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026, blending dramatic landscapes, fiery cuisine, and rich local traditions. With its misty winter weather and breathtaking views of the Yangtze River, Chongqing sets a cozy and atmospheric backdrop for the Spring Festival. One of the most cherished customs in Chongqing is gathering with family and friends to enjoy a steaming Chongqing hot pot. The cold, damp winter makes it the perfect time to indulge in this iconic dish, known for its bold flavors, spicy broth, and communal warmth.

Shanghai

As China’s most cosmopolitan city, Shanghai is often associated with gleaming skyscrapers and a fast-paced lifestyle. Yet, during the Spring Festival 2026, the city beautifully blends its modern identity with centuries-old Chinese New Year traditions, offering travelers the best of both worlds. Among the highlights of celebrating Lunar New Year in Shanghai, the Lantern Festival at Yu Garden and the nearby City God Temple are the most worth waiting for. These historic landmarks transform into a dazzling stage of light and color, drawing both locals and visitors into the festive atmosphere.

Chengdu

When it comes to celebrating the Chinese New Year 2026 in a way that appeals to all ages, Chengdu is hard to beat. Known as the hometown of the giant panda, this laid-back city in Sichuan Province offers a festive experience that blends nature, culture, and tradition. Start your visit at the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. In Chinese culture, pandas symbolize peace, friendship, and good fortune, making them the perfect companions for welcoming a new year. After your panda encounter, dive into the city’s rich performing arts scene by attending a Bian Lian face-changing show, one of the highlights of Sichuan Opera. During the Spring Festival, theaters across Chengdu host dazzling performances where actors, dressed in elaborate costumes, switch vividly painted masks in the blink of an eye.

Yunnan

If you want to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 in a way that goes beyond the mainstream, head to Yunnan Province, where the Spring Festival is infused with the diverse traditions of the region’s many ethnic minority groups, including the Naxi, Yi, Bai, and Dai peoples. Each group brings its own customs, music, and rituals, creating a festive experience unlike anywhere else in China.

In the ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang, the Lunar New Year celebrations are marked by lively bonfire parties, folk singing and dancing, and vibrant community gatherings. Visitors are warmly welcomed to join in the festivities, making it a truly immersive cultural experience. Beyond the bonfires, travelers can take part in symbolic rituals such as lighting water lanterns and releasing them into rivers to make wishes for the new year. You’ll also encounter colorful folk performances that highlight Yunnan’s unique heritage.

Taiwan

For a unique perspective on the Spring Festival 2026, head to Taiwan, where centuries-old Chinese traditions are celebrated with a distinct local flair. From bustling markets in Taipei to breathtaking lantern festivals in the countryside, Taiwan offers travelers an unforgettable Lunar New Year journey.

A week or two before the holiday, the heart of Taipei comes alive at Dihua Street, the city’s most famous New Year market. Here, visitors can shop for festive accessories such as red lanterns, paper cuttings, door couplets, and good-luck charms. The marketplace also doubles as a foodie paradise, sample iconic Taiwanese street foods like bubble tea, oyster omelettes, pineapple cakes, and candied fruits while soaking in the lively atmosphere.