Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is a weeks-long season of family reunions, intense travel, red decorations, fireworks, and time-honored traditions—from the reunion dinner and red envelopes to taboos, lucky numbers, and the Lantern Festival finale.

Expect crowded transport, many closed shops, and lively temple fairs; plan travel early, learn greetings like “Xin Nian Kuai Le,” bring a small gift if visiting a home, try offered foods, and be respectful of local customs.