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Glossary

Spring Festival Travel Rush

You are thinking of a Lunar New Year trip and want to know how crowded China becomes.

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What is the Spring Festival travel rush?

The Spring Festival travel rush, called chunyun, is the weeks around Lunar New Year when much of China travels home and back again. It is the busiest stretch for trains, flights and roads in the Chinese year.

Where do you meet it on the trip?

You meet it in three places. The first is transport: seats on high-speed rail and domestic flights fill early. The second is closures, because some shops, restaurants and attractions shut for the holiday. The third is price and choice in hotels near tourist sights.

China’s official 2026 Spring Festival holiday ran from 15 to 23 February, nine days[1]. Saturdays 14 and 28 February were make-up workdays around it[2].

For 2027, Lunar New Year’s Day falls on 6 February 2027[3]. That is the calendar date, not the holiday window. As of 19 October 2026 the State Council had not published the 2027 schedule, which normally appears in early to mid November[4].

One practical tip

Decide first whether you want the festival or the sights. For the festival mood, book transport as soon as tickets open and keep the route short. For the sights, move your dates away from the holiday, and ask each place whether it is open on the days you plan to visit.

Compare Golden Week, read Chinese New Year travel from Malaysia, and check the China public holiday calendar for the latest dates.

If you are weighing a Lunar New Year trip, tell us your dates and who is travelling and we will help you plan around the closures and the sell-outs.

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Questions Malaysians ask

What is the Spring Festival travel rush?

It is the period around Lunar New Year when people across China travel home and back, known as chunyun. Trains, flights and roads are full, and tickets are hard to get. For a visitor it means crowded transport and early sell-outs, even though cities themselves can feel quieter.

When is Lunar New Year in 2027?

Lunar New Year's Day 2027 falls on 6 February 2027. That is the calendar date, not the official holiday window. The 2027 mainland holiday schedule had not been published as of 19 October 2026, so check the State Council notice before booking.

Is it a good time to visit China?

It suits travellers who want the festive mood and can book transport very early. If you want easy trains and open shops, choose another week. Some businesses close for the holiday, so confirm that the restaurants and sights you want are open.

Sources

  1. China Briefing, checked 2026-10-19
  2. China Briefing, checked 2026-10-19
  3. Wikipedia, checked 2026-10-19
  4. Trip.com guide, checked 2026-10-19

Rules, schedules and prices change. Confirm with the official source before you travel.

Thinking about China?

If you are weighing a Lunar New Year trip, tell us your dates and who is travelling and we will help you plan around the closures and the sell-outs.

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