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If you are traveling in China during 2012鈥檚 Chinese New Year period, the following table might be useful to you. Several travel ABCs are listed, such as: when the traffic is most crowded, when the traffic improves, when there will be lots of fireworks, whether the banks and government offices are open in this period, when shops will re-open, greeting and customs etc.
Every year, the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) travel peaks with Chinese New Year (January 22, 2012 is the Chinese New Year鈥檚 Eve). The Spring Festival travel peak of 2012 will begin on January, 8, 2012, and last till February 16, 2012. However, there is a short period: January 22鈥揓anuary 25, when transport is much less busy than other days during the Chinese New Year period.
| A Practical Day by Day Guide to Chinese New Year 2012 |
| Date |
Description |
Transport |
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Jan. 8 to Jan. 21
Homeward Bound
Cleaning
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Tens of millions of migrant workers and college students rush home for family reunions during this period, traveling is really busy, flight prices increase and train tickets can become hard to buy (prepare for long waits and many people when buying a train ticket). Train tickets sold max. 10 days prior to travel, but typically 5 days. For days before the festival Chinese families spring clean their house which is believed to sweep away bad luck and bring good-fortune in the coming year.
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Very Busy! |
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Sunday Jan. 22
(New Year鈥檚 Eve)
Fireworks Best Late
Cheap Flights PM
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It is Chinese New Year鈥檚 Eve and one of Chinese New Year鈥檚 three statutory holidays. Every family will dine together. Travel is now calmer than during the period Jan. 11鈥揓an. 21, and flight prices drop a little. Banks, Government offices and shops are still available, but hours are much shorter. Lots of fireworks, especially with the ringing of the new year. Hongbao (Red envelopes) are given to kids with the ringing of the new year.
Greeting: 杩囧勾濂?gu貌ni谩n h菐o
Send a (Free) Chinese New Year e-card
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Better, but local transport can be busy |
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Monday Jan. 23
(Day 1 of 2012)
Hong Bao
Cheap Flights
Start Early Evening
Visits/Gifts
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The first day of Chinese New Year 2012. There are firecrackers in the morning (before opening the door) and early evening (before dinner). Most people visit their neighbors or friends and relatives nearby. Hongbao (Red envelopes) are given to kids. Some people will stay at home and celebrate; some will go out for a walk if the weather is nice. Almost no bank and government office is open. Only some big shopping malls are open.
Greetings: 鏂板勾蹇箰(x墨nni谩n ku脿il猫
鎭枩鍙?/strong>璐?(g艒ngx菒 f膩c谩i)
涓囦簨濡傛剰 (w脿nsh矛 r煤y矛)
See more greeting sayings for Chinese New Year
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Jan. 24
(Day 2)
Visits/Gifts
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The second day of Chinese New Year 2012 and also the last day of Chinese New Year鈥檚 three statutory holidays. People visit friends and relatives. There will be fireworks for greeting guests and before dinner. Almost no bank and government office is open. Only some big shopping malls are open.
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Jan. 25
(Day 3)
Visits/Gifts
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Visit friends and relatives in the city and visit friends and family in nearby villages. So local travel and town and village buses are busy but travel to other cities and domestic flights are ok. Some banks and government offices are open, but business is limited and hours are much shorter. Only some big shopping malls are open.
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Jan. 26 to Jan. 27
(Day 4 & 5)
Visits/Gifts
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The end of Chinese New Year 2012. Some people will keep visiting friends and relatives; some will go back to work. More banks and government offices are open, but business is limited and hours are shorter. More shopping places open.
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Busy |
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Jan. 28
(Day 6)
Return Travel
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Almost all the shops, companies and offices will re-open on this day, because the 6th is the luckiest number in Chinese culture. However, some may choose the 8th day (Jan. 30) as their re-opening day, also a lucky number.
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Very Busy! |
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Jan. 29 to Feb. 15
Return Travel
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Tens of millions of migrant workers and college students rush back to their work places and colleges during this period, transport is really busy, flight prices increase and train tickets can become hard to buy (prepare for long waits and lots of people buying a train ticket). Get your ticket in advanced, release date is often 10 or 5 days prior to travel.
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