New Year's Day
The Gregorian New Year, one of China's public holidays
๐ History & Origins
New Year's Day falls on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar and is recognized as "New Year" in most countries around the world. In ancient China, the first day of various months โ including the twelfth and tenth months โ was once designated as the start of the new year. Beginning with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the new year was fixed to the first day of the first month on the lunar calendar. In 1912, the Republic of China adopted the Gregorian calendar, moving New Year's Day to January 1st. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, January 1st was officially designated as the national New Year's Day and became a statutory public holiday. Although New Year's Day in China has undergone many changes throughout history, its symbolic significance as a fresh start has never faded. In modern China, the New Year's Day holiday is typically one day, often extended into a three-day weekend through schedule adjustments. It is an important occasion for bidding farewell to the old year, welcoming the new, and enjoying leisure time.
๐ Traditional Customs
What to do
- โฆNew Year's Eve countdown celebrations
- โฆAttending New Year concerts
- โฆClimbing mountains to pray for blessings
- โฆFamily reunion dinners
- โฆMaking New Year resolutions
What to eat
โ๏ธ Travel Impact
The New Year's Day holiday is typically a 3-day mini-break and marks a minor peak in winter tourism. Suburban scenic areas, ski resorts, and hot spring resorts around major cities see a surge of visitors. Since the holiday is short, most people opt for trips near home, and long-distance travel is relatively uncommon. Train and flight ticket prices rise somewhat, but not nearly as dramatically as during Chinese New Year.
๐ก Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Book tickets for popular scenic spots 1โ2 weeks in advance
Avoid New Year's Eve celebration areas in major city centers
Choose less popular destinations to enjoy off-season prices
Prepare warm clothing for the cold weather in northern regions
๐ Recommended Experiences
Harbin
New Year's Eve at the Ice and Snow World
Sanya
Beachside winter getaway
Shanghai
New Year's Eve countdown at the Bund