Traditional paper cut of the year of the snake
Traditional paper cut of the year of the snake 2025.

Welcoming the Wood Snake 木蛇

The 2025 Chinese New Year begins on January 29, marking the start of the Wood Snake year in the lunar calendar. As the sixth zodiac animal, the snake represents wisdom, intuition, and calculated action. Those born in snake years (2025, 2013, 2001…) are believed to possess strategic thinking and natural elegance.

Celebrate with:

Key Dates

  • New Year’s Eve (Chúxī 除夕): January 28, 2025
  • Spring Festival (Chūnjié 春节): January 29, 2025
  • Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié 元宵节): February 12, 2025

Traditional Customs

1. Reunion Dinner Essentials

Family reunion dinner
Typical New Year’s Eve spread with fish, dumplings, and longevity noodles.
  • Fish (Yú 鱼): Steamed whole, symbolizing abundance
  • Dumplings (Jiǎozi 饺子): Shaped like ancient silver ingots, especially popular in North China
  • Niángāo 年糕: Sticky rice cake for “rising prosperity”, popular in South China
  • Tāngyuán 汤圆: Sweet rice balls for family unity

2. Snake Year Taboos

Avoid these during first 15 days:

  • ✖️ Buying shoes (“xié” sounds like “evil”)
  • ✖️ Washing hair on New Year’s Day (washes away luck)
  • ✖️ Using sharp objects (cuts good fortune)

Modern Celebrations

Top Cities for Festivities

  1. Beijing : Temple fairs at Ditan Park
  2. Shanghai : Yuyuan Garden lantern display
  3. Xi’an : City wall light festival
  4. Guangzhou : Flower markets along Beijing Road
Lantern festival
Xi’an city wall during Spring Festival celebrations.

Travel Tips for 2025: Local Insights for Chinese New Year

When planning your trip to China for the Lunar New Year, it’s important to consider these China travel tips frequently share:

  1. Avoid Peak Travel Days: The 3 days before and after New Year’s Day are extremely crowded
  2. Book Train Tickets 60 Days in Advance: Use the 12306 app with a Chinese friend’s help
  3. Join Local Families: Many recommend homestay experiences for authentic celebrations
  4. Temple Fair Planning: Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid massive crowds
  5. Regional Celebration Differences: Northern celebrations focus on dumplings and fireworks, while southern regions emphasize family reunion dinners with fish and sticky rice cakes

Local saying: “A snake in the house means good fortune will never leave” 家有祥蛇，富贵不离