Chinese New Year: Travel Into the New Year
Part 3 of 3 – Experience Chinese New Year through travel inspiration from the places around the world where the celebration lights up the night with hope, color, and community.
A Celebration That Crosses Borders
Chinese New Year is more than a national holiday – it’s a global celebration. Wherever Chinese communities have taken root, from London to Los Angeles, the traditions live on in vibrant new forms. It has become a cultural bridge between East and West, tradition and modern life. For travelers, it’s an invitation to experience Chinese New Year as a living culture – full of stories, flavors, and shared humanity.
Shanghai – The Beating Heart of the New Year
In Shanghai, past and future meet in dazzling harmony. Skyscrapers glow in shades of red while ancient temples fill with incense and whispered prayers. Locals gather at the Yu Yuan Garden Lantern Festival, where thousands of lanterns turn the night into a sea of light. Here you can taste everything from dumplings to sugar figurines as dragons dance through the streets – a spiritual yet spectacular scene that captures the soul of modern China.
Hanging red lanterns in Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai – a classic sight during the New Year festivities.
Hanging red lanterns in Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai – a classic sight during the New Year festivities.
Hong Kong – The Capital of Fireworks
Hong Kong lights up Victoria Harbour with one of the world’s most breathtaking fireworks displays. The parade on Hong Kong Island blends traditional lion dancers, floating stages, and live music – a visual symphony of energy and joy. Many travelers choose to watch the show from a boat in the harbor, where the city’s skyline and the pulse of the New Year celebration merge into one unforgettable spectacle.
Singapore – Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Singapore transforms during the Chingay Parade, a massive celebration of art, light, and movement. The city is a perfect destination for those seeking a modern Asian New Year – safe, orderly, and endlessly flavorful. From hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants, Chinese New Year becomes a journey of taste and culture rolled into one.
Beyond Asia – Global Chinatown Celebrations
Chinese New Year extends far beyond Asia’s borders. In London, Trafalgar Square comes alive with performances, while Chinatown glows under thousands of red lanterns. San Francisco hosts the oldest and largest Chinese New Year parade in the U.S., a tradition dating back to the 1860s. Even Copenhagen joins the celebration with parades, street food, and cultural workshops for the whole family.
Chinatown in London adorned with red lanterns
A Celebration of Connection
Wherever you experience Chinese New Year, its message remains the same: hope, unity, and renewal. It’s a time to return – not only home, but to your roots and values. For travelers, it’s more than a festival; it’s a cultural key to understanding Asia’s spirit and the world’s shared ability to celebrate together.
More from the Series – Chinese New Year: A Journey in Three Parts
Part 1 – Traditions and Origins | Part 2 – Food and Festivities
Read our complete guide to Chinese New Year, and discover why this holiday unites millions across the world.
✨ Relive the highlights from Chinese New Year 2025 – The Year of the Dragon – a celebration of grand feasts, street parades, and glowing lanterns across Asia.
Look ahead to Chinese New Year 2026 – The Year of the Horse and find inspiration for where to experience next year’s celebrations.
Explore more about China, travel experiences in Asia, new year celebrations around the world and culture & art travel.
