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1. Shard Calculation

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Response:

Calculated Shard: 145 (from laksa074)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa145.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/","crawl_time":1776383530,"first_indexed_time":1578473020,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nickkembel!www,\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/ s443","src_root_hash":"15079408755590662745","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Lunar New Year 2026 in Taiwan: Chinese New Year Travel Guide - Nickkembel Travels","meta_descriptions":["A guide to traveling during the Lunar New Year in Taiwan, things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei, and the best\/worst days to travel!"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.\nIf you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are\nliving in Taiwan\nand starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip.\nSome people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the\nbest time to visit Taiwan\n. Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of\nwinter in Taiwan\n, a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan.\nLunar New Year is the most important of\nTaiwan’s holidays\nand the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does.  What’s more interesting for visitors is the\nTaiwan Lantern Festival\n, which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year.\nTaipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining\nwhat’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY\n). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare.\nHowever, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article.\nOn the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting\nthese amazing hot springs\n, and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some\ncherry blossoms in Taiwan\n! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst\ntime to visit Taipei\n.\nSee here for more\ngeneral travel information about Taiwan\nand join my free\nTaiwan Travel Planning group\n.\nAlso read:\nVisiting Taiwan during January\nVisiting Taiwan during February\nVisiting Taiwan during March\nVisiting Taiwan during April\nVisiting Taiwan during May\nVisiting Taiwan during June\nVisiting Taiwan during July\nVisiting Taiwan during August\nVisiting Taiwan during September\nVisiting Taiwan during October\nVisiting Taiwan during November\nVisiting Taiwan during December\nIn this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday.\nIf you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended\nTaipei itinerary\n,\nbest day trips from Taipei\n,\nTaiwan itinerary\n, and\nwhere to stay in Taipei\n.\nTable of Contents\nWhen is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?\n“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”\nHow Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?\nWhat Do Locals Do During the Holiday?\nHow Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?\nHow’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?\nHow’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?\nCan I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?\nWhat about Cherry Blossoms?\nStrawberry Season in Taiwan\nFlying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year\nSpecial Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei\nDihua Street before Lunar New Year\nNanmen Market, Taipei\nLunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan\nWhat is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?\nWhat is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?\nThings to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year\nDragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others\nTaipei 101 Observatory\nElephant Mountain\nTaipei Zoo\nMaokong Gondola\nNational Palace Museum\nTaipei Children’s Amusement Park\nBeitou Hot Springs\nVisiting Temples\nDepartment Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants\nIf You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan\nCool Festivals After Lunar New Year\nFoguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace\nTaiwan Lantern Festival\nLantern Festivals in other Cities\nPingxi Lantern Festival\nYanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival\nBombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals\nFinal Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan\nRelated Posts\nSince the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20.\nThe 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is\nTuesday, February 17.\nThe national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22.\nThis year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed.\nIn my newer guide to\nLunar New Year in Taipei\n, I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like.\nYou may also want to consider getting a\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n. See my full\nreview of the pass\n.\n“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”\nWhen speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones.\nIt’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own.\nHowever, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone.\nIn Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival (\nchun jie\/\n春節) or\nguo nian\n(過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say.\nAnytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year (\nxin nian kuai le\/\n新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity (\ngong xi fa cai\/\n恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it!\nHow Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?\nThat’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak\nthe Taiwanese language\n, in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan\nHow long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days.\nHowever, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend.\nThis will result in a lovely\n9 days off\n(Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years.\nWhat Do Locals Do During the Holiday?\nTraffic jams as the masses head south\nSo what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone\ngathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family\non Lunar New Year’s Eve (\nchu xi\nor 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west.\nThey usually gather in their hometown or parents’\/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration\n“going down”\n(下去).\nThis means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days.\nTo beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and\nplaying\nmahjong\n.\nI quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year\nOn\nNew Year’s Day\n(\nchu yi\nor 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or\nhong bao\n) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel.\nOn\nDay 2\nof the lunar new year (\nchu er\nor 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called\nhui niang jia\n(回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao.\nIf the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY.\nRed envelopes or “hong bao”\nFrom\nDay 3\nuntil the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance.\nI’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up –\nflight prices often go up\nat this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars.\nIf I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs.\nBut since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws.\nBe careful with this stuff!\nThe one thing I’ve learned, though:\ndon’t say yes to the\nkaoliang\n(a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it.\nDrinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his\/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this).\nHow Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?\nMost students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country.\nBut you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets,\nJiufen Old Street\n, and so on.\nHow’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?\nTypical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan\nI’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful.\nJanuary\nis the\ncoldest month of the year\n(average 13.9°C) and\nFebruary\nis the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C.\nThat may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling.\nOn the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel.\nSometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of\nNorthern Taiwan’s beaches\n.\nThe best part is that it’s\nperfect weather for hot springs\n(\nsee my favorite ones\n).\nHow’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?\nYou can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu\nThe weather in\nNew Taipei City\n, Taoyuan, and\nHualien\n\/\nTaroko Gorge\nare going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast.\nTaichung\nand\nMiaoli\nare usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital.\nTainan\n,\nKaohsiung\n,\nTaitung\n,\nPingtung\n, and\nKenting\ncan be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In\nDulan, Taitung\n, people even surf year-round, while over on\nXiaoliuqiu\n, they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time.\nOne exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting\nAlishan\nor\nCingjing Farm\n, for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing!\nAs for\nSun Moon Lake\n, it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like\nOrchid Island\n(which is mostly closed) and\nPenghu\n(which gets crazy windy) in winter.\nCan I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?\nMe on the top of Snow Mountain in winter\nIt’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to\nwhere to see snow in Taiwan\n.\nIt doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on\nYangmingshan\n, as well as\nTaipingshan\nin\nYilan\n. When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows?\nIf you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to\nHehuanshan (合歡山)\n, which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from\nTaichung\/Puli\/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺\n). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge,\nSongsyue Lodge\n.\nBut note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed.\nYou can organize a\nday tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here\n.\nAnother way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or\nJade Mountain\n(玉山 or Yushan).\nWhat about Cherry Blossoms?\nCherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung\nWhether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year.\nUsually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January.\nFebruary to mid-March is the best time\noverall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like\nthese spots in Alishan\n.\nHowever, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2).\nI have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best\ncherry blossom forecast\nevery year.\nStrawberry Season in Taiwan\nChinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan\nWhile Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!)\nNeihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early!\nFind out everything you need to know in my guides to\nstrawberry farms in Dahu\nand\nTai’an Hot Spring\n.\nFlying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year\nLines at Taoyuan International Airport\nIf you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be\nquite expensive\n.\nFor example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to $1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up.\nIt can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this\nlist of budget airlines flying to Taiwan\n.\nMy parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices.\nI recommend using\nWayAway\nor\nKiwi\nto find cheap flights to Taipei.\nSpecial Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei\nIn the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s\ntraditional markets\nget insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts.\nA few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City:\nDihua Street before Lunar New Year\nDihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies.\nDihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng\n, just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday.\nThe entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds.\nOnce the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below).\nNanmen Market, Taipei\nGiant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market\nA lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near\nChiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall\n.\nThis large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool.\nFollowing a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though!\nLunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan\nLunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung\nIn\nTaichung\n, you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at\nJiguang Street\n(繼光街). In Tainan,\nXin Hua Old Street\n(新化老街) is the place to go.\nIn Kaohsiung, try\nSanfong Central Street\n(三鳳中街).\nWhat is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?\nLNY decorations at Longshan Temple\nEverything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals\nflocking to traditional markets\nto pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor.\nOn New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start\nvacating the city\nand driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve.\nOn New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will\nfeel like ghost towns.\nThe streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet.\nAround Day 3 and Day 4, things start\ngradually reopening\n, and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again.\nI go into much more detail about this, including the\nspecific dates everything will open or close,\nthe best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to\nvisiting Taipei during Lunar New Year\n.\nWhat is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?\nLocals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu\nIt is important to consider local people’s\nNew Year holiday schedule\nwhen planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year.\nGenerally speaking,\nhalf the country will be on the road\nin the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel.\nIt’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that\nyou can always buy a non-reserved ticket\nat the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is\nmy guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan\n.\nBy dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and\nstaying at home\n. As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels.\nOn Day 2 of the New Year, many\npeople hit the road again\n, because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called\nhui niang jia\nor 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free.\nFrom day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when\nhighways get super busy again\n, highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max.\nIf you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to\nbook your hotel room far in advance\n, and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out.\nA safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung,\nTainan\n, or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time.\nThings to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year\nCompared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is\nsurprisingly boring\nduring the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city).\nThere’s\nno public parade\n, and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does!\nThe most reliable\nlion dance performances\nevery year\nGrand Hyatt Taipei\nnear Taipei 101, but there are a few others.\nI’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only.\nDragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others\nOne special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel.\nThe event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points.\nAt the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year!\nAlso feel free to read about our\nluxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei\n, especially if you are visiting\nTaipei with children\n!\nWhile you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at\nthe hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant.\nWe loved it!\nThere are a few\nother places with lion dances\nin Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about\nthis year’s locations\n.\nTaipei 101 Observatory\nThe Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going.\nI have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to\nbook your ticket online\n, and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n.\nTaipei 101 also has the special\nSkyline 460\nexperience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket.\nFind more info in my\nguide to visiting Taipei 101\nand my\npersonal experience doing Skyline 460\n.\nElephant Mountain\nHiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see\nmy guide to Elephant Mountain\n.\nBesides Elephant Mountain, there are several other\nTaipei hikes with views of Taipei 101\n.\nTaipei Zoo\nTaipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there).\nMoreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n.\nMaokong Gondola\nRight beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in\nmy Maokong Gondola guide\n.\nCheck out this\nMaokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal\n.\nThe gondola is included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n.\nNational Palace Museum\nLike several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance.\nBecause it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the\nbest traditional Taiwan souvenirs\n.\nYou can save a little money if you\nbook your National Palace Museum ticket online\nbefore you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass.\nTaipei Children’s Amusement Park\nJust like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n(entrance fee only, rides cost extra).\nSome larger\ntheme parks in Taiwan\n, including\nLeofoo Village theme park\nin\nHsinchu\n, are open every day of the year.\nBeitou Hot Springs\nOne of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei.\nSince most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See\nmy guide to Beitou\nfor the best ones.\nHowever, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday.\nBeitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year.\nBeitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year.\nBeitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays.\nBeitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\nOther hot spring options outside of Taipei include\nTienlai Resort\nin Jinshan,\nWulai\nsouth of the city and\nJiaoxi Hot Spring Village\nin\nYilan county\n.  See all the details in my guide to the\nbest day trips from Taipei\n.\nFurther afield, there’s also the super unique\nmud hot spring at Guanziling\n. All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year.\nVisiting Temples\nMost temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple.\nLongshan Temple\ncan be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in\nTamsui\n(image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about\nwhen to see where blossoms in Taiwan\n).\nSee this guide to my favorite\n30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City\nfor all the information.\nDepartment Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants\nWhile it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores\nremain open\nduring Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on.\nEven the\ngiant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall\n(pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the\nTaipei Unlimited Fun Pass\n.\nNot only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope (\nhong bao\nor 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives).\nSee my\nTaipei shopping guide\nto the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city.\nSo where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei\nNEVER CLOSE. Ever\n.\nIn the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea\nnow takes the top spot\n), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store.\nMost major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day.\nIn terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just\ncall first to find out\n, and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants.\nOne year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer.\nHere are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates:\nShifen Waterfall\n: usually closed on New Year’s Eve\nNational Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\nLin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\nDin Tai Feng Restaurant\n: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\nXimending\nRed House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve\nBopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\nChiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open\nSun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open\nIf You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan\nIf you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year,\nyou’ll still survive\n!\nYou may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28\/29\/30 days in advance for weekday\/Saturday\/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year,\nthey usually release ALL the tickets\nfor the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck!\nIf you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that\nyou can always buy a standing ticket\non regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on.\nRiding the HSR with my kids\nA far better choice if you can afford it is to take the\nHigh Speed Rail.\nYou can try reserving on the\nofficial website\nor\nhere on Klook\n. Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train.\nIf you don’t get tickets, not to worry!\nCars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section\n, so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains.\nAnd if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance.\nCool Festivals After Lunar New Year\nFor foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper!\nFoguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace\nOne incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display.\nThe Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can\ncheck for updates here\n.\nFind more information about\nvisiting Foguangshan Temple here\n.\nTaiwan Lantern Festival\nThe Lantern Festival (\nyuan xiao jie\nor 元宵節) is an\nancient Chinese festival\nthat takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating\ntang yuan\n(little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my\nguide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival\n.\nEvery year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above).\nThese events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one.\nIn 2026, the\nNational Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi\nfrom March 3 to 15.\nBecause this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too.\nLantern Festivals in other Cities\nEvery year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals.\nMost of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival.\nHere are the\n2026 dates and locations\nof all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and\/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it.\nTaipei Lantern Festival 2026\n: In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park (\nhere\n) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road\nhere\nand Chengdu Road\nhere\n). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays.\nNew Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026\n: As usual, the Lantern Display for\nNew Taipei City\nwill be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT,\nroughly here\n), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event.\nTaoyuan Lantern Festival 2026\n: This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園,\nhere\n) from February 25 to March 8.\nHsinchu Lantern Festival 2026\n: In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my\nHsinchu guide\n.\nTainan Lantern Festival 2026\n: Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including:\nPuji Temple Light Display\n(台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center,\nYuejing Harbor Lantern Show\nin Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and\nHuxingshan Park\n(虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below).\nKaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026\n: In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣,\nhere\n) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay.\nPier 2 Art Center\nnearby usually has lit-up art installations, too.\nFoguangshan Monastery\nin Kaohsiung will host the\nFestival of Lights and Peace\n, with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18.\nQishan Old Street\n(about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time.\nTaitung Lantern Festival 2026\n: Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival.\nHualien Lantern Festival 2026\n: Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道,\nhere\n) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8.\nYilan Lantern Festival 2026\n: Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道,\nhere\n).\nNantou Lantern Festival 2026\n: Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心,\nhere\n) from February 14 to March 8.\nPingxi Lantern Festival\nThe Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar).\nThis year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days:\nThe first one will take place on\nFriday, February 27\n(2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day.\nThe second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was\nTuesday, March 3\n(2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall.\nThe events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM.\nI went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment.\nYou can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the\nbest day trips from Taipei\nand\nhow to get to Shifen from Taipei\n.\nYanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival\nOn the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮).\nEvery year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous\nJingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain\n, lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries.\nThe tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read\nmy guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival\nfor all the details.\nAfter being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3.\nBombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals\nA lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out\nwhy they do it\n.\nMeanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the\nMiaoli Bombing of the Dragon\nculminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon.\nFinal Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan\nPerhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right.\nWhen booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference.\nIf you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday.\nFor day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance.\nI hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful!","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#content \"Skip to content\")\n\n[![Nickkembel Travels](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/nickkembel-travels-website-logo.png?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/)\n\n[![Nickkembel Travels](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/nickkembel-travels-logo.png?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/ \"Nickkembel Travels\")\n\nMenu\n\n- [Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-travel-guide\/)\n  - [Taiwan Articles](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/asia\/taiwan\/)\n  - [Ebook and Itineraries](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/nicks-taiwan-travel-guide-ebook-itineraries\/)\n  - [Taiwan Obsessed (new site!)](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/)\n- [Destinations](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/destinations\/)\n  - 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[Hot Springs](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/hot-springs\/)\n  - [Food guides](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/food-guides\/)\n  - [Hiking](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/hiking\/)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/blog\/)\n- [Travel Tips](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/products\/)\n  - [Essential Items](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/must-have-travel-items\/)\n  - [Travel Resources](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-travel-resources\/)\n  - [My Camera](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-mirrorless-camera-for-traveling\/)\n  - [Camera Lenses](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-olympus-lens-for-travel\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/about-me\/)\n  - [About Me](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/about-me\/)\n  - [Media](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/media\/)\n  - [My Book](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-in-the-eyes-of-a-foreigner\/)\n  - [Contact](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/contact\/)\n  - [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n\n# Lunar New Year 2026 in Taiwan: Chinese New Year Travel Guide\nFebruary 24, 2026\n\nFebruary 12, 2026\n\nby [Nick Kembel](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/author\/spiritualtravels\/ \"View all posts by Nick Kembel\")\n\n![A detailed guide to traveling to Taiwan during Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and Taipei during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA7AAAAH9AQAAAAALn630AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABRSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFwY7JsAAS18nFYAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![A detailed guide to traveling to Taiwan during Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and Taipei during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/chinese-new-year-taiwan-header.jpg?strip=all&fit=944%2C509)\n\n*Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.*\n\nIf you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are [living in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/living-in-taiwan\/) and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip.\n\nSome people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the [best time to visit Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taiwan\/). Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of [winter in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter\/), a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan.\n\nLunar New Year is the most important of [Taiwan’s holidays](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/festivals-in-taiwan\/) and the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does. What’s more interesting for visitors is the [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan\/), which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year.\n\nTaipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining [what’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/)). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare.\n\nHowever, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article.\n\nOn the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting [these amazing hot springs](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-hot-springs\/), and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some [cherry blossoms in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/)! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst [time to visit Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taipei\/).\n\n**See here for more [general travel information about Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-travel-guide\/) and join my free [Taiwan Travel Planning group](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/TaiwanTravelPlanning\/).**\n\n**Also read:**\n\n- [Visiting Taiwan during January](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-january\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during February](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-february\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during March](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-march\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during April](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-april\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during May](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-may\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during June](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-june\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during July](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-july\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during August](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-august\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during September](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-september\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during October](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-october\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during November](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-november\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during December](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-december\/)\n\nIn this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday.\n\nIf you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended [Taipei itinerary](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-itinerary-4-days\/), [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/), [Taiwan itinerary](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-itinerary-1-2-3-weeks\/), and [where to stay in Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/where-to-stay-in-taipei\/).\n\nTable of Contents\n\nToggle\n\n- [When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#When_is_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n- [“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#%E2%80%9CChinese_New_Year%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CLunar_New_Year%E2%80%9D)\n- [How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#How_Many_Days_Do_People_Have_Off_for_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n  - [What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_Do_Locals_Do_During_the_Holiday)\n  - [How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#How_Long_is_the_Chinese_New_Year_Holiday_for_Students_in_Taiwan)\n- [How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Hows_the_Weather_During_New_Year_in_Taipei)\n  - [How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Hows_the_Chinese_New_Year_weather_in_the_rest_of_Taiwan)\n  - [Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Can_I_See_Snow_in_Taiwan_during_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [What about Cherry Blossoms?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_about_Cherry_Blossoms)\n  - [Strawberry Season in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Strawberry_Season_in_Taiwan)\n- [Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Flying_to_or_from_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n- [Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Special_Activities_Leading_Up_to_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taipei)\n  - [Dihua Street before Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Dihua_Street_before_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [Nanmen Market, Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Nanmen_Market_Taipei)\n  - [Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Lunar_New_Year_Markets_in_Other_Cities_in_Taiwan)\n- [What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_is_Taipei_like_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n- [What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_is_it_like_traveling_around_during_Lunar_New_Year)\n- [Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Things_to_Do_in_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n  - [Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Dragon_and_Lion_Dancing_at_Grand_Hyatt_Others)\n  - [Taipei 101 Observatory](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_101_Observatory)\n  - [Elephant Mountain](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Elephant_Mountain)\n  - [Taipei Zoo](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_Zoo)\n  - [Maokong Gondola](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Maokong_Gondola)\n  - [National Palace Museum](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#National_Palace_Museum)\n  - [Taipei Children’s Amusement Park](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_Childrens_Amusement_Park)\n  - [Beitou Hot Springs](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Beitou_Hot_Springs)\n  - [Visiting Temples](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Visiting_Temples)\n  - [Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Department_Stores_Convenience_Stores_and_Restaurants)\n- [If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#If_You_Do_Have_to_Travel_During_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n- [Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Cool_Festivals_After_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Foguangshan_New_Year_Festival_of_Light_Peace)\n  - [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taiwan_Lantern_Festival)\n  - [Lantern Festivals in other Cities](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Lantern_Festivals_in_other_Cities)\n  - [Pingxi Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Pingxi_Lantern_Festival)\n  - [Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Yanshui_Beehive_Fireworks_Festival)\n  - [Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Bombing_Master_Handan_and_Bombing_the_Dragon_Festivals)\n- [Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Final_Thoughts_How_to_Plan_a_Chinese_New_Year_Trip_in_Taiwan)\n  - [Related Posts](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Related_Posts)\n## When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?\nSince the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20.\n\nThe 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is **Tuesday, February 17.** The national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22.\n\nThis year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed.\n\nIn my newer guide to [Lunar New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/), I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like.\n\n**You may also want to consider getting a [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=630235&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F76302-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-pick-up-taipei%2F). See my full [review of the pass](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-fun-pass\/).**\n\n## “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”\nWhen speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones.\n\nIt’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own.\n\nHowever, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone.\n\nIn Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival (*chun jie\/*春節) or *guo nian* (過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say.\n\nAnytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year (*xin nian kuai le\/*新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity (*gong xi fa cai\/*恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it\\!\n\n## How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?\n![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lunar-new-year-taiwan-meal.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThat’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak [the Taiwanese language](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-languages\/), in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan\n\nHow long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days.\n\nHowever, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend.\n\nThis will result in a lovely **9 days off** (Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years.\n\n### What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?\n![A traffic jam on the highway](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![A traffic jam on the highway](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lunar-new-year-traffic-jam-taiwan-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTraffic jams as the masses head south\n\nSo what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone **gathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family** on Lunar New Year’s Eve (*chu xi* or 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west.\n\nThey usually gather in their hometown or parents’\/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration **“going down”** (下去).\n\nThis means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days.\n\nTo beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and **playing *mahjong***.\n\n![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJsAQAAAAD2XVBEAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABWSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA\/gb+TAAB6ig2wwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mahjong-taiwan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nI quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year\n\nOn **New Year’s Day** (*chu yi* or 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or *hong bao*) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel.\n\nOn **Day 2** of the lunar new year (*chu er* or 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called *hui niang jia* (回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao.\n\nIf the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY.\n\n![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or \"hong bao\"](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or \"hong bao\"](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/red-envelope-hong-bao-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRed envelopes or “hong bao”\n\nFrom **Day 3** until the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance.\n\nI’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up – **flight prices often go up** at this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars.\n\nIf I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs.\n\nBut since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws.\n\n![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+QAAAPkAQAAAAAIJsm8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAACQSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCy+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBn6kcAAYWOoOwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kaohliang-taiwan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nBe careful with this stuff\\!\n\nThe one thing I’ve learned, though: **don’t say yes to the *kaoliang*** (a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it.\n\nDrinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his\/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this).\n\n### How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?\nMost students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country.\n\nBut you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets, [Jiufen Old Street](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/jiufen-old-street-taiwan\/), and so on.\n\n## How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?\n![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taipei-during-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTypical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan\n\nI’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful. [January](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-january\/) is the **coldest month of the year** (average 13.9°C) and [February](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-february\/) is the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C.\n\nThat may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling.\n\nOn the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel.\n\nSometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of [Northern Taiwan’s beaches](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-taipei-beaches\/).\n\nThe best part is that it’s **perfect weather for hot springs** ([see my favorite ones](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-hot-springs\/)).\n\n### How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?\n![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/secret-beach-xiaoliuqiu.jpg?strip=all)\n\nYou can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu\n\nThe weather in [New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/new-taipei-city-guide\/), Taoyuan, and [Hualien](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-hualien-taiwan\/)\/[Taroko Gorge](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taroko-gorge-taiwan\/) are going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast.\n\n[Taichung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-taichung\/) and [Miaoli](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/miaoli-taiwan\/) are usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital. [Tainan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/), [Kaohsiung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-kaohsiung\/), [Taitung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-taitung\/), [Pingtung](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/pingtung-taiwan\/), and [Kenting](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/kenting-national-park\/) can be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In [Dulan, Taitung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/dulan-taiwan-surfing-beach\/), people even surf year-round, while over on [Xiaoliuqiu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/xiaoliuqiu-lambai-island-taiwan\/), they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time.\n\nOne exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting [Alishan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/alishan-taiwan-sunrise\/) or [Cingjing Farm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/cingjing-farm-taiwan\/), for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing\\!\n\nAs for [Sun Moon Lake](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/sun-moon-lake-taiwan\/), it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like [Orchid Island](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/orchid-island-lanyu-taiwan\/) (which is mostly closed) and [Penghu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/penghu-islands-taiwan\/) (which gets crazy windy) in winter.\n\n### Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?\n![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/snow-mountain-taiwan-winter.jpg?strip=all)\n\nMe on the top of Snow Mountain in winter\n\nIt’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to [where to see snow in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter\/).\n\nIt doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on [Yangmingshan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-to-yangmingshan\/), as well as [Taipingshan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipingshan\/) in [Yilan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan\/). When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows?\n\nIf you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to [Hehuanshan (合歡山)](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hehuanshan-sunrise-hiking-snow\/), which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from [Taichung\/Puli\/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taichung-to-cingjing-farm\/)). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge, [Songsyue Lodge](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/songsyue-lodge-hehuanshan\/).\n\nBut note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed.\n\nYou can organize a [day tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/12538-cingjing-farm-hehuan-mountain-one-day-tour-taichung\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452).\n\nAnother way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or [Jade Mountain](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/yushan-jade-mountain-guide\/) (玉山 or Yushan).\n\n### What about Cherry Blossoms?\n![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJsAQAAAAD2XVBEAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABWSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA\/gb+TAAB6ig2wwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/wuling-farm-cherry-blossoms.png?strip=all)\n\nCherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung\n\nWhether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year.\n\nUsually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January. **February to mid-March is the best time** overall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like [these spots in Alishan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/alishan-cherry-blossoms\/).\n\nHowever, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2).\n\nI have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best [cherry blossom forecast](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/) every year.\n\n### Strawberry Season in Taiwan\n![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strawberry-picking-dahu-miaoli.jpg?strip=all)\n\nChinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan\n\nWhile Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!)\n\nNeihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early\\!\n\nFind out everything you need to know in my guides to [strawberry farms in Dahu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/dahu-strawberry-farm-taiwan\/) and [Tai’an Hot Spring](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taian-hot-spring-miaoli-taiwan\/).\n\n## Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year\n![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/taoyuan-airport-baggage-area.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLines at Taoyuan International Airport\n\nIf you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be **quite expensive**.\n\nFor example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to \\$1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up.\n\nIt can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this [list of budget airlines flying to Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cheapest-flights-taiwan\/).\n\nMy parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices.\n\n**I recommend using [WayAway](https:\/\/tp.media\/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) or [Kiwi](https:\/\/tp.media\/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) to find cheap flights to Taipei.**\n\n## Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei\nIn the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s [traditional markets](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-markets\/) get insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts.\n\nA few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City:\n\n### Dihua Street before Lunar New Year\n![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/dihua-street-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all)\n\nDihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies.\n\n[Dihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/dihua-stree-dadaocheng\/), just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday.\n\nThe entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds.\n\nOnce the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below).\n\n### Nanmen Market, Taipei\n![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/nanmen-market-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nGiant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market\n\nA lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near [Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall\/).\n\nThis large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool.\n\nFollowing a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though\\!\n\n### Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan\n![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/sanfong-central-street-kaohsiung-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung\n\nIn **Taichung**, you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at [Jiguang Street](https:\/\/taichung.travel\/en\/attractions\/intro\/1343) (繼光街). In Tainan, [Xin Hua Old Street](https:\/\/www.taiwannews.com.tw\/en\/news\/4417374) (新化老街) is the place to go.\n\nIn Kaohsiung, try [Sanfong Central Street](https:\/\/www.travelking.com.tw\/eng\/tourguide\/taiwanoldstreets\/sanfong-chinese-new-year-market.html) (三鳳中街).\n\n## What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?\n![Longshan Temple, Taipei](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Longshan Temple, Taipei](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/longshan-temple-taipei-city.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLNY decorations at Longshan Temple\n\nEverything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals **flocking to traditional markets** to pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor.\n\nOn New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start **vacating the city** and driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve.\n\nOn New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will **feel like ghost towns.** The streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet.\n\nAround Day 3 and Day 4, things start **gradually reopening**, and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again.\n\nI go into much more detail about this, including the **specific dates everything will open or close,** the best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to [visiting Taipei during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/).\n\n## What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?\n![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/fenqihu-train-station-alishan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLocals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu\n\nIt is important to consider local people’s **New Year holiday schedule** when planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year.\n\nGenerally speaking, **half the country will be on the road** in the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel.\n\nIt’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that **you can always buy a non-reserved ticket** at the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is [my guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/high-speed-rail-booking\/).\n\nBy dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and **staying at home**. As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels.\n\nOn Day 2 of the New Year, many **people hit the road again**, because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called *hui niang jia* or 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free.\n\nFrom day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when **highways get super busy again**, highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max.\n\nIf you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to **book your hotel room far in advance**, and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out.\n\nA safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung, [Tainan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/), or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time.\n\n## Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year\nCompared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is **surprisingly boring** during the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city).\n\nThere’s **no public parade**, and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does\\!\n\nThe most reliable **lion dance performances** every year [Grand Hyatt Taipei](https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/tw\/grand-hyatt-taipei-taipei50.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=taipei-chinese-new-year) near Taipei 101, but there are a few others.\n\nI’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only.\n\n### Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others\n![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/grand-hyatt-taipei-lion-dance.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel.\n\nThe event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points.\n\nAt the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year\\!\n\nAlso feel free to read about our [luxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/grand-hyatt-muscat-review-with-kids\/), especially if you are visiting [Taipei with children](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-with-kids\/)\\!\n\nWhile you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at [the hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant.](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=626006&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F40122-caf%25C3%25A9-in-grand-hyatt-taipei-at-taipei-101-world-trade-center-station%2F) We loved it\\!\n\nThere are a few **other places with lion dances** in Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about [this year’s locations](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/#Watch_Lion_Dragon_Dancing).\n\n### Taipei 101 Observatory\n![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\\!](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\\!](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-101-with-kids.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going.\n\nI have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to [book your ticket online](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/1659-taipei-101-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452), and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\nTaipei 101 also has the special [Skyline 460](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=628443&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F23966-101-skyline-460-skip-the-line-ticket-taipei%2F) experience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket.\n\nFind more info in my [guide to visiting Taipei 101](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-101\/) and my [personal experience doing Skyline 460](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/skyline-460-taipei-101\/).\n\n### Elephant Mountain\n![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taipei-elephant-mountain-view.jpg?strip=all)\n\nHiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see [my guide to Elephant Mountain](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/elephant-mountain-xiangshan-taipei\/).\n\nBesides Elephant Mountain, there are several other [Taipei hikes with views of Taipei 101](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/hiking-in-taipei-best-hikes\/).\n\n### Taipei Zoo\n![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\\!](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAApsAAAPoAQAAAAC5KAgSAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABpSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDB+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHgYTBcAAaSncSsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\\!](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-zoo-panda.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTaipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there).\n\nMoreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\n### Maokong Gondola\n![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/maokong-gondola-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRight beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in [my Maokong Gondola guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/maokong-gondola-taipei\/).\n\nCheck out this [Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/16000-maokong-gondola-combo-ticket-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452).\n\nThe gondola is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\n### National Palace Museum\n### ![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/national-palace-museum-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\nLike several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance.\n\nBecause it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the [best traditional Taiwan souvenirs](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/souvenirs-taiwan\/).\n\nYou can save a little money if you [book your National Palace Museum ticket online](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/10136-national-palace-museum-ticket-package-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) before you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass.](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F)\n\n### Taipei Children’s Amusement Park\n![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-childrens-amusement-park.jpg?strip=all)\n\nJust like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) (entrance fee only, rides cost extra).\n\nSome larger [theme parks in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-theme-parks\/), including [Leofoo Village theme park](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/leofoo-village-theme-park\/) in [Hsinchu](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hsinchu-taiwan-guide\/), are open every day of the year.\n\n### Beitou Hot Springs\n![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/beitou-thermal-valley.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei.\n\nSince most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See [my guide to Beitou](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/beitou-hot-spring\/) for the best ones.\n\nHowever, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday.\n\n- Beitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year.\n- Beitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year.\n- Beitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays.\n- Beitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n\nOther hot spring options outside of Taipei include [Tienlai Resort](https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/tw\/tienlai.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=taiwan-january) in Jinshan, [Wulai](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/wulai-hot-spring-taipei-taiwan\/) south of the city and [Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/jiaoxi-hot-spring-yilan-taiwan\/) in [Yilan county](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan\/). See all the details in my guide to the [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/).\n\nFurther afield, there’s also the super unique [mud hot spring at Guanziling](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/guanziling-hot-spring-tainan-taiwan\/). All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year.\n\n### Visiting Temples\n![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/tian-yuan-temple-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nMost temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple.\n\n[Longshan Temple](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/longshan-temple-taipei\/) can be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in [Tamsui](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/tamsui-old-street\/) (image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about [when to see where blossoms in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/)).\n\nSee this guide to my favorite [30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-taipei-temples-taiwan\/) for all the information.\n\n### Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants\n![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/miramar-taipei-ferris-wheel.jpg?strip=all)\n\nWhile it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores **remain open** during Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on.\n\nEven the [giant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/17764-miramar-entertainment-park-ferris-wheel-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) (pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\nNot only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope (*hong bao* or 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives).\n\nSee my [Taipei shopping guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/shopping-in-taipei\/) to the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city.\n\n![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAH1AQAAAAD93A1SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABJSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXBs19AAFXbXyVAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taiwan-7-eleven.jpg?strip=all)\n\nSo where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei **NEVER CLOSE. Ever**.\n\nIn the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea [now takes the top spot](https:\/\/www.taiwannews.com.tw\/en\/news\/3397167)), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store.\n\nMost major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day.\n\nIn terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just **call first to find out**, and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants.\n\nOne year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer.\n\n**Here are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates:**\n\n- [Shifen Waterfall](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=648885&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F76306-yehliu-jiufen-shifen-golden-waterfall-day-tour%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve\n- National Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n- Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\n- [Din Tai Feng Restaurant](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=638839&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F18435-din-tai-fung-taipei%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n- [Ximending](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-ximending-night-market\/) Red House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve\n- Bopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\n- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open\n- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open\n## If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan\nIf you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, **you’ll still survive**\\!\n\nYou may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28\/29\/30 days in advance for weekday\/Saturday\/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year, **they usually release ALL the tickets** for the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck\\!\n\nIf you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that **you can always buy a standing ticket** on regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on.\n\n![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/taiwan-hsr-with-kids.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRiding the HSR with my kids\n\nA far better choice if you can afford it is to take the **High Speed Rail.** You can try reserving on the [official website](https:\/\/www.thsrc.com.tw\/en\/) or [here on Klook](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/816-thsr-one-way-ticket-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train.\n\nIf you don’t get tickets, not to worry\\! **Cars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section**, so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains.\n\nAnd if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance.\n\n## Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year\nFor foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper\\!\n\n### Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace\n![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)\n\n![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/foguangshan-lanterns-night.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display.\n\nThe Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can [check for updates here](https:\/\/www.fgsbmc.org.tw\/en\/activity-main.aspx).\n\nFind more information about [visiting Foguangshan Temple here](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/fo-guang-shan-taiwan\/).\n\n### Taiwan Lantern Festival\n![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJ9AQAAAAA+14F6AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABYSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCF+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDLAAVUAAEX+iooAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taiwan-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Lantern Festival (*yuan xiao jie* or 元宵節) is an [ancient Chinese festival](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lantern_Festival) that takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating *tang yuan* (little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my [guide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan\/).\n\nEvery year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above).\n\nThese events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one.\n\nIn 2026, the **National Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi** from March 3 to 15.\n\nBecause this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too.\n\n### Lantern Festivals in other Cities\n![Taipei Lantern Festival](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg\/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\n![Taipei Lantern Festival](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lantern-festival-taiwan-1.jpg?strip=all)\n\nEvery year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals.\n\nMost of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival.\n\nHere are the **2026 dates and locations** of all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and\/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it.\n\n- **Taipei Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park ([here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/trZJbfKfzrRj8atK6)) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9rzxqXjmrMdWCcnCA) and Chengdu Road [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/3qntbdNgwWT2PwSs6)). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays.\n\n- **New Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026**: As usual, the Lantern Display for [New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/new-taipei-city-guide\/) will be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT, [roughly here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xwNibgmZBZqWRvwD9)), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event.\n\n- **Taoyuan Lantern Festival 2026**: This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/k6SB6breZdYVpGqr5)) from February 25 to March 8.\n\n- **Hsinchu Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my [Hsinchu guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hsinchu-taiwan-guide\/ \"A Travel Guide to Hsinchu, Taiwan’s Silicon Valley\").\n\n- **Tainan Lantern Festival 2026**: Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including: [Puji Temple Light Display](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HdTwifo1SuY7oe3e6) (台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center, [Yuejing Harbor Lantern Show](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/yuejinlanternfestival\/) in Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and [Huxingshan Park](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/2r8he9c4PtNHMuQv8) (虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below).\n\n- **Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/s1A6DEssM1sPNMrC8)) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay. [Pier 2 Art Center](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung\/) nearby usually has lit-up art installations, too.   \n    \n  [Foguangshan Monastery](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/fo-guang-shan-taiwan\/) in Kaohsiung will host the **Festival of Lights and Peace**, with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18.  \n    \n  [Qishan Old Street](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/qishan-old-street-kaohsiung\/) (about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time.\n\n- **Taitung Lantern Festival 2026**: Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival.\n\n- **Hualien Lantern Festival 2026**: Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/qkbSDa91M6Nby26H6)) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8.\n\n- **Yilan Lantern Festival 2026**: Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/GwULu3aLEgJ4B7yX9)).\n\n- **Nantou Lantern Festival 2026**: Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/eS9ja8zEdy1JAKjx8)) from February 14 to March 8.\n### Pingxi Lantern Festival\n![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/pingxi-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar).\n\nThis year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days:\n\nThe first one will take place on **Friday, February 27** (2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day.\n\nThe second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was **Tuesday, March 3** (2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall.\n\nThe events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM.\n\nI went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment.\n\nYou can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/) and [how to get to Shifen from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-to-jiufen-to-shifen\/).\n\n### Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival\n![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n\n![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/yanshui-beehive-rockets-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOn the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮).\n\nEvery year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous [Jingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/qigu-salt-mountain-tainan-jingzijiao-wapan-salt-fields-taiwan\/), lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries.\n\nThe tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read [my guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/yanshui-beehive-fireworks-festival\/) for all the details.\n\nAfter being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3.\n\n### Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals\nA lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out [why they do it](https:\/\/taiwangods.moi.gov.tw\/html\/landscape_EN\/1_0011.aspx?i=92).\n\nMeanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the [Miaoli Bombing of the Dragon](https:\/\/english.hakka.gov.tw\/Content\/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=42343&LanguageType=ENG) culminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon.\n\n## Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan\nPerhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right.\n\nWhen booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference.\n\nIf you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday.\n\nFor day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance.\n\n**I hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful\\!**\n\n### Related Posts\n- [![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/autumn-in-taiwan-header-150x150.png?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/autumn-in-taiwan\/)\n  [Autumn in Taiwan: Best Foliage Spots and Other Things to Do](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/autumn-in-taiwan\/)\n- [![A detailed guide to the best time to visit Taiwan, including best season to visit taiwan and best month to visit Taiwan](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![A detailed guide to the best time to visit Taiwan, including best season to visit taiwan and best month to visit Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/when-to-visit-taiwan-header-150x150.jpg?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taiwan\/)\n  [The Best Time to Visit Taiwan: A Month-by-Month Guide](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taiwan\/)\n- [![A guide to spending summer in Taipei and summer in Taiwan](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![A guide to spending summer in Taipei and summer in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/summer-in-taiwan-header-150x150.jpg?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/summer-in-taipei-and-taiwan\/)\n  [Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/summer-in-taipei-and-taiwan\/)\n\nCategories [Asia](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/asia\/), [Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/category\/asia\/taiwan\/)\n\n## 40 thoughts on “Lunar New Year 2026 in Taiwan: Chinese New Year Travel Guide”\n1. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/19957e7497c064ae761bb47ec94e9092926728b81940cc3b8975213ba82c4cbc?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Kelly Barnett\n   \n   [January 18, 2020 at 6:20 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2429)\n   \n   Great article about traveling during the CNY! Have you heard any information about this year’s Dragon and Lion Dance at the Grand Hyatt Taipei? We’d love to take our little one\\!\n   \n   Thanks\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2429)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [January 19, 2020 at 1:19 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2433)\n     \n     Hi Kelly, I’ve just called them to confirm, and the event will take place on Saturday, January 25, starting at exactly 11 AM. It begins outside the front door, then quickly moves inside to the lobby.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2433)\n2. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/36568d4af4c8d3e71627ef3b8c8d00e39065b12f29676cccd38ced75e68fa2a6?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Dan Jacobson\n   \n   [January 21, 2020 at 12:43 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2444)\n   \n   “On the night before New Year’s Eve (February 23, 2020), and all day on New Year’s Eve (February 24, 2020)…” February? Don’t you mean January?\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2444)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [January 21, 2020 at 9:22 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2448)\n     \n     Yes, thank you for catching that typo Dan! Just fixed it.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-2448)\n3. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f9c587ee9fa705749930a29108c0ba69a3c5d7c885e4ca6c330257079fcdcea1?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Ec\n   \n   [December 31, 2022 at 7:38 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9798)\n   \n   Thank you for such comprehensive and updated information! Very appreciate it\\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9798)\n4. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d4cc773f7217645ef75ad54557dd30aad3348f624ad2154f46c4e03e2f642267?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   A\n   \n   [January 19, 2023 at 7:11 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9987)\n   \n   Well thank you ! I planned a trip from 20th of january to the 25th, before realizing it ! So I hope this helps me find some activities to do 🙂 I will have to come back for the great street food apparently though \\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9987)\n5. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/140b52b556fe1449f87813a84ed4e98f2d8781775509afe36bced3bf3b0a9ed1?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   JJ Chen\n   \n   [January 21, 2023 at 10:40 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9995)\n   \n   Hi Nick.  \n    A little correction, saturday is either 21 or 28, not 25. So which one is it ?  \n    If it was 21st, then sadly it’s passed already.\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-9995)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [January 22, 2023 at 7:52 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-10005)\n     \n     The only place I see mentioning the 25th in this article is in a comment from 2020.\n     \n     The Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt always takes places on Lunar New Year Day, which this year (2023) was on Jan 22.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-10005)\n6. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/758af61f4a7b6a8cab1185b578d9256744154847159a273e5a63fbd257a4103d?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Test Travel\n   \n   [August 21, 2023 at 4:33 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11468)\n   \n   Hi, Thank you for the comprehensive information\\!  \n    Would you be able to do an advance blog for Chinese Lunar Year 2024?  \n    Thank you\\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11468)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [August 23, 2023 at 1:56 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11487)\n     \n     I will try to update this in the next week, so please check back in a few weeks. And I will further update it in the weeks and months leading up to CNY, when there is more info available about specific dates of events.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11487)\n7. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1f5c37a7911117be35ae5f073a3638312ee0cf807a6becad112e8e06e00714bb?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Angela Buhl\n   \n   [October 1, 2023 at 8:41 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11870)\n   \n   Thanks so much for all this wonderful information! We’ll be in Taiwan with our little daughter in 2024, also during Lunar New Year.. It says it’s from Feb 8th to 14th,however New Years Eve is on the 10th,right? So Feb 9th wouldn’t be a good day to travel from Taipei south? 10th or 11th would be less busy? Thanks so much and kind regards from Germany+Guatemala\\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11870)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [October 3, 2023 at 10:23 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11898)\n     \n     Please note I haven’t updated this article with 2024 dates yet. In 2024, CND is Feb 10. So yes, Feb 8 and 9 will be the days when the highways to the south will be total traffic jams and all trains will be sold out. Feb 10 would be far less busy, because on that day, everybody will already be with their families and staying at home. 11th should be OK too, but CNY Day 2 is the day when they are supposed to go visit the wife’s family, which sometimes could be in a different city, so some locals will be out on the roads and trains again.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11898)\n8. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/babbb9b6d9129b183cba27ec99ad6c470da375b063cda29e71e5c531984aa374?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Cynthia Heng\n   \n   [October 9, 2023 at 9:15 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11959)\n   \n   I am planning a trip from 9 – 13 feb to taipei. Is there any farm recommendation that we can visit?\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-11959)\n   - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n     \n     ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n     \n     Nick\n     \n     [October 27, 2023 at 4:08 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12195)\n     \n     That will be during Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan in 2024, so it will be crazy crazy busy everywhere. But there are so many tourist farms in Taiwan, so it depends on which part of Taiwan, big or small one, you want to sleep there or not, etc. Some very popular ones include Toucheng Leisure Farm, Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm, Flying Cow Ranch, and Cingjing Farm. But it may be hard to get hotels at these, and it may take many extra hours to drive to them, during CNY. I suggest you try on Lunar New Year’s Eve and Lunar New Year Day, when most locals will be staying at home with their families. On Day 2 and later, those place will be totally packed.\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12195)\n9. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n   \n   ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f6bfbd19889a7e78b963a43a79f2d7e2c2652101a966cd26ae45daa2138900d8?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n   \n   Debbie Merced\n   \n   [November 17, 2023 at 3:42 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12344)\n   \n   Hi Nick. Looking forward for your 2024 CNY updates. We also planned a Taipei trip Feb 10-17 without realizing it’s CNY. ☹️\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12344)\n10. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/843cb034658192b5e27d321d024262a114248dea26462325b786697f4e6aef17?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Bean\n    \n    [November 20, 2023 at 7:33 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12361)\n    \n    This was a very informative blog thank you, i was thinking to visit Taipei from 11 Feb – 20 Feb 2024 but I’m very worried that everything will be closed or super packed :”)\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12361)\n11. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dbb66a75481e3f4e6059e96b09b608e64340b1f3876e9fcf6212431fbc8419a4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Pallas\n    \n    [December 26, 2023 at 8:08 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12734)\n    \n    Very useful information indeed. Looking forward for your 2024 CNY updates! We plan to purchase the 3-day Free Pass via Klook but was wondering if that was a good option since New Year Day 3 would be on Monday (when most places close…)\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12734)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 8, 2024 at 3:03 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12856)\n      \n      The article is updated for 2024 now. The fact the most places close on Mondays is for normal business weeks. When a Monday is a holiday, like a 3-day long weekend, then everything will be open because they want the business. And for LNY, the Monday thing is irrelevant. Businesses will close if they feel like it, because they want to visit with their family at that time. Most business are closed on Day 1 and Day 2. But by Day 3, some of them will start reopening again if they are finished visiting with their families, regardless of whether it’s Monday or not.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12856)\n12. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dbb66a75481e3f4e6059e96b09b608e64340b1f3876e9fcf6212431fbc8419a4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Pallas\n    \n    [December 28, 2023 at 5:57 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12768)\n    \n    Very useful information indeed. Looking forward to your guide for 2024, especially when New Year Day 2 is on a monday. I am worried that everything will be closed :((\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12768)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 3, 2024 at 9:53 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12816)\n      \n      The tendency of local businesses to take a break on Mondays doesn’t really apply to holiday times. For example, when there’s a long weekend with Monday as a third day off, then most business stay open for the extra business on that day. And LNY is a totally different situation. People will take a day off the visit with their family, not because it happens to be a Monday. NYD2 is the day when families traditionally visit the Mother’s side. So many businesses will remain closed because they are doing that. But there will be a little more open than on NYE or NYD1.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12816)\n13. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/48ae5b678de8730e9c3d4d6edc80e1bee0da25280e1b8d9443db0ed4611fa9b4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Deb\n    \n    [January 13, 2024 at 12:55 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12925)\n    \n    Are the night markets closed  \n     Feb 11-14, 2024?\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12925)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 16, 2024 at 1:37 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12964)\n      \n      Night markets in Taipei are open every day of the year. However, each vendor can take a break whenever they want. So many vendors will take a break especially on Feb 9 and 10 (NYE and NYD). From Feb 11 onwards, more and more of them will open.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-12964)\n14. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2fbfe3bc0dff7806796f4c1dfe934d8caaf16ea2bb8be61a77bfde7eaf2c69e4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Via\n    \n    [January 24, 2024 at 11:03 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13055)\n    \n    Hi Nick, I have flight from TPE during CNY morning. Would it be hassle if go and stay in taoyuan area the night before or it’s better to stay in Taipei & go to airport directly? And is it recommended to use airport bus service?\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13055)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 30, 2024 at 11:56 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13129)\n      \n      The answer depends how early your flight is. First Airport MRT from Taipei to Taoyuan departs at 6 AM and arrives at the airport at 6:36, so this is good enough if your flight is 8:30 or later. For earlier flights, take a private vehicle or taxi to the airport. There’s also a 24-hour airport bus from Kuo Kuang Bus Station. Staying in Taoyuan will only save you a little time, maybe 20 min faster than going from Taipei. See this guide for more details, links to bus schedules, etc <https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taoyuan-airport-to-taipei\/>\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13129)\n15. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fce07ebb85cca769e98d8f927e4a2a42df0e6ba05b337b364fdd6dfe8b350eee?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Alyi\n    \n    [January 25, 2024 at 10:27 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13077)\n    \n    Thanks for such amazing info. I have two toddlers and your site is always the first i check when planning anything or to get ideas! (Living in TW for one year now)\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13077)\n16. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f9590423c5ef6251140cf0503796a1f6cea582b5963cc12626b7fd61d9351dc9?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Karen Chua\n    \n    [January 31, 2024 at 1:58 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13137)\n    \n    Hi Nick, I am 1st time self travel to taipei n need yout advise.  \n     1. planning to visit ZOO on 12\/02\/2024. Will the place crowded include the cable car 2 ？  \n     2.How i travel from Taipei 101 to Raohe Night market ？tks\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13137)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [February 2, 2024 at 1:25 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13156)\n      \n      I think it will be pretty normal crowds or maybe even quieter than usual. Many families will still be outside Taipei traveling or visiting their relatives. But for those families who do stay in Taipei, maybe some will go to the zoo or gondola. I don’t think it’s anything to worry. about. You can use GoogleMaps to find the best route between places. There are some direct bus options. If you take the MRT, that will be slower because you’ll have to transfer 2 times (red line to brown line, brown line to green line). A taxi would not cost much.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-13156)\n17. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/43ddd12d509a751d773d4f42b92492b9c8cb2748f59bd0e46635295eea8e26ce?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Gabi\n    \n    [November 13, 2024 at 1:31 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-17417)\n    \n    Hey Nick ! Thanks for the guide, it’s gona be my first time in Taiwan from 30\/1 to 6\/2 (it is what it is)  \n     I have planned to arrive and go directly to wulai from the airport for 1 night at a spa hotel, and am considering if i should go from there to Jiufen for 1 night, and then taipei, or directly to taipei. Dyu reckon it will be packed ?\n    \n    thanks – Gabi\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-17417)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [November 13, 2024 at 8:40 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-17437)\n      \n      So it seems you would be visiting Wulai on Day 2 of the Lunar New Year. The hotels (and their spas) should be open, but as for Wulai Old Street, you may find that it is extremely quiet. Most of the food stalls and small restaurants could be closed. If you’re lucky hopefully at least a few will still open. Then you’re thinking of going to Jiufen on Day 3. I think it should be fine. It will probably be normal busy (which for Jiufen means quite busy), but it won’t be anything much crazier than normal. Day 3 is when local families start traveling around Taiwan. However, Jiufen is not such a popular place for local families. It’s mainly foreign tourists who go there. And it won’t be such a crazy day to take the bus or train out of Taipei, as most people already left Taipei days before that (to go to their relatives houses). So if you want to see Jiufen, I would just go for it.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-17437)\n18. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7259b8fb68aba1b41490045664a785ddb322dfced968480e00973ae6de90ac46?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Jeffrey\n    \n    [December 23, 2024 at 10:24 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18206)\n    \n    This is a really good post Nick. Like, fantastic. I booked my flight and accommodation before knowing about everything shutting down. But, I’m riding it out. If you all host foreigners for the CYE, let me know. Would love the cultural immersion.\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18206)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [December 24, 2024 at 10:22 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18227)\n      \n      Glad to hear! I’m actually not living there right now. But hope you enjoy your trip\\!\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18227)\n19. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7259b8fb68aba1b41490045664a785ddb322dfced968480e00973ae6de90ac46?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Jeffrey\n    \n    [December 23, 2024 at 10:25 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18207)\n    \n    CNY\\*\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-18207)\n20. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/60d097bbff7fe4aec8809e37869516b6afd6c75492f2bc1040cec560631a6f85?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Luke\n    \n    [December 3, 2025 at 12:31 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20769)\n    \n    Hey Nick! Thanks for all the wonderful information. I am planning on arriving in Taipei on Tuesday, February 17 th LNY, and then leaving Tuesday Feb 24th. I was hoping to mess around in Taipei on Feb 17, then I was hoping to plan many day trips out of taipei, to Beitou on Feb 18, to Kee Lung and various caves and places on Feb 19 (and possibly staying there), then to Jiufen and the Cat Village on Feb 20, and then returning to Taipei to stay but continuing with various day trips to the surrounding areas. Will these attractions be incredibly crowded, and do will the transit system between cities be a nightmare for those kinds of attractions? My flights were surprisingly cheap (sub \\$650 round trip from the West Coast USA) so I jumped on them before thinking this through all the way.  \n     Thanks\\!\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20769)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [December 4, 2025 at 12:04 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20776)\n      \n      Your plan sounds great! Keeping in mind the LNY schedule, most locals will be staying at home with their families on your arrival date. The city will be very quiet, but still many things to explore. The places you mention are all easy day trips, even on busy days, with no train or HSR bookings needed, so you’ll be fine. It’s tough to say just how crowded they will be with so many factors at play. Many travelers avoid Taiwan at LNY, so typical places with foreign tourist crowds (like Jiufen) may not actually be so bad. And many Taipei people are down south or traveling around the country. But for those who actually stayed in Taipei, maybe some will do day trips on those days. I think it will all balance out and be moderately busy, but nothing crazy. I wish I could find flights that cheap. We paid more than double that price for our next (summer) trip to Taiwan\\!\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20776)\n21. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3e3cd8539843da3602c11759e95045f0a5ddc0b51ce56b7b1999dd65b9d85199?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Doris\n    \n    [January 6, 2026 at 10:00 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20935)\n    \n    Hi Nick,  \n     Thank you for your article! definitely a big help with our Taiwan trip planning. We’re arriving in Taiwan on 8th Feb until 15th Feb, and we will be in Taipei from Saturday 14th Feb. Do you think restaurants and shops would be open that weekend as it is when their national holiday starts? Also as we are leaving on the 15th Feb would it be better to book HSR to avoid the rush or can we just purchase the ticket on the day? Alternatively would booking a private car be a better option? We are travelling with a toddler so I’m just wondering what would be the less stressful option.  \n     Thank you\\!\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20935)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 13, 2026 at 4:11 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20993)\n      \n      Most things will still be open on the 14th and 15th so you don’t need to worry too much about it. It may be a little quieter than usual, but you’ll still be fine The 16th and 17th will be the very dead days. For leaving, if you are going to Taoyuan Airport, you don’t need to take the HSR. You can take the Airport MRT, which will be running as normal. A private transfer works too, depending on your preference and budget! The Airport MRT could actually be faster though, especially if there’s a lot of traffic leaving the city on that day. It only takes 35 to 50 minutes, while driving takes 1 hour (on normal days) or maybe even longer on that day.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-20993)\n22. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/28253dc59c739700164bc6ab2853c89fac4b52244093a4b9efa72dcd418b4c16?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Imane\n    \n    [January 14, 2026 at 12:27 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21002)\n    \n    Hello \\!\n    \n    Is Tainan more lively and open during the first days of Lunar New Year compared to Taipei? I’m mainly wondering about food, temples and general atmosphere.\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21002)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [January 14, 2026 at 4:09 pm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21004)\n      \n      It will be similar to Taipei in that almost every restaurant and shop will be closed, and just very quiet overall. And also similar in that temples will be open and possibly a little busy, and Tainan does have lots of them. You may be lucky and catch some kind of dragon dancing performance at one of them, but I’m not aware of any set times for any.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21004)\n23. ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n    \n    ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/90f37d5280917051eec8ff9e9005fb5210648ba652d97caee3a298f54d551cc4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n    \n    Ido Shimshi\n    \n    [February 6, 2026 at 3:24 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21120)\n    \n    Hey nick, thank you for this, so much usefull information\\!  \n     My partner and I are going to be in Taiwan between the 18th-27th and we would like to to spend 3-4 days in taipei, take a car to travel around some more rural and nature areas and maybe visit some of the islands (heard great things about Liuqiu).  \n     Would love your recommendation on the order of these given the CNY.  \n     Would staying in Taipei for the first days then leaving be a good idea? So there will still be some things open during the main closure times?  \n     Or would you recommend getting out right away, possibly dodging the main traffic times and coming back to Taipei after things open up?  \n     Thank you for any input on the matter, really appreciate this\\!\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21120)\n    - ![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)\n      \n      ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g)\n      \n      Nick\n      \n      [February 9, 2026 at 10:17 am](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21130)\n      \n      If this were me, I would probably spend the first 3-4 days in Taipei. You will be arriving on Day 2 of the holiday, so it will still be quiet, but many things will already be starting to open again. Then maybe you can consider something like renting a car and spending 2-3 days driving down the east coast (Yilan, Taroko Gorge, Hualien, Taitung), and finish your car rental at Zuoying HSR station in Kaohsiung. Then take the bus from Zuoying to Donggang for catching the ferry to Xiaoliuqiu, then back to Zuoying and ride the HSR to Taoyuan and transfer to the Airport MRT for going to the airport. If you don’t mind to rush a little, you could add 1 or two more stops after Xiaoliuqiu, like Kaohsiung city, Tainan city, or Alishan, but you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly to fit any of those in.\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#comment-21130)\n### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#respond)\n\n![Nick Kembel bio pic](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAATsAAAGkAQAAAABml7\/8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAODbAENEAAGojH+PAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Nick Kembel bio pic](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/bio-e1560942771187.jpg?strip=all)\n\n**Hey, I’m Nick\\!**\n\nThis website is my full-time passion project. I’ve always been drawn to the religious centers and spiritual sights of the world. After years of backpacking, I now call two places home: Edmonton, Canada and Taipei, Taiwan. When I’m not writing or compulsively planning every detail of our next family trip, I’m most likely playing kitty games with Sage and Lavender, my two kids.\n\n[![Taiwan travel planning group sidebar image](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAATsAAAGkAQAAAABml7\/8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAODbAENEAAGojH+PAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Taiwan travel planning group sidebar image](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/taiwan-travel-planning-sidebar.png?strip=all)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/TaiwanTravelPlanning\/)\n\n© 2026 Nickkembel Travels Ltd. (formerly \"Spiritual Travels\")\n\n![Quantcast](https:\/\/pixel.quantserve.com\/pixel\/p-jnnePjYxvdeeN.gif)","attrs_readable_markdown":"*Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.*\n\nIf you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are [living in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/living-in-taiwan\/) and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip.\n\nSome people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the [best time to visit Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taiwan\/). Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of [winter in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter\/), a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan.\n\nLunar New Year is the most important of [Taiwan’s holidays](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/festivals-in-taiwan\/) and the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does. What’s more interesting for visitors is the [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan\/), which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year.\n\nTaipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining [what’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/)). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare.\n\nHowever, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article.\n\nOn the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting [these amazing hot springs](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-hot-springs\/), and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some [cherry blossoms in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/)! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst [time to visit Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-time-to-visit-taipei\/).\n\n**See here for more [general travel information about Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-travel-guide\/) and join my free [Taiwan Travel Planning group](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/TaiwanTravelPlanning\/).**\n\n**Also read:**\n\n- [Visiting Taiwan during January](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-january\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during February](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-february\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during March](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-march\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during April](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-april\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during May](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-may\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during June](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-june\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during July](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-july\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during August](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-august\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during September](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-september\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during October](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-october\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during November](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-november\/)\n- [Visiting Taiwan during December](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-december\/)\n\nIn this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday.\n\nIf you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended [Taipei itinerary](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-itinerary-4-days\/), [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/), [Taiwan itinerary](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-itinerary-1-2-3-weeks\/), and [where to stay in Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/where-to-stay-in-taipei\/).\n\nTable of Contents\n\n- [When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#When_is_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n- [“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#%E2%80%9CChinese_New_Year%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CLunar_New_Year%E2%80%9D)\n- [How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#How_Many_Days_Do_People_Have_Off_for_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n  - [What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_Do_Locals_Do_During_the_Holiday)\n  - [How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#How_Long_is_the_Chinese_New_Year_Holiday_for_Students_in_Taiwan)\n- [How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Hows_the_Weather_During_New_Year_in_Taipei)\n  - [How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Hows_the_Chinese_New_Year_weather_in_the_rest_of_Taiwan)\n  - [Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Can_I_See_Snow_in_Taiwan_during_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [What about Cherry Blossoms?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_about_Cherry_Blossoms)\n  - [Strawberry Season in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Strawberry_Season_in_Taiwan)\n- [Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Flying_to_or_from_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n- [Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Special_Activities_Leading_Up_to_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taipei)\n  - [Dihua Street before Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Dihua_Street_before_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [Nanmen Market, Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Nanmen_Market_Taipei)\n  - [Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Lunar_New_Year_Markets_in_Other_Cities_in_Taiwan)\n- [What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_is_Taipei_like_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n- [What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#What_is_it_like_traveling_around_during_Lunar_New_Year)\n- [Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Things_to_Do_in_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year)\n  - [Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Dragon_and_Lion_Dancing_at_Grand_Hyatt_Others)\n  - [Taipei 101 Observatory](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_101_Observatory)\n  - [Elephant Mountain](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Elephant_Mountain)\n  - [Taipei Zoo](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_Zoo)\n  - [Maokong Gondola](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Maokong_Gondola)\n  - [National Palace Museum](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#National_Palace_Museum)\n  - [Taipei Children’s Amusement Park](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taipei_Childrens_Amusement_Park)\n  - [Beitou Hot Springs](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Beitou_Hot_Springs)\n  - [Visiting Temples](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Visiting_Temples)\n  - [Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Department_Stores_Convenience_Stores_and_Restaurants)\n- [If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#If_You_Do_Have_to_Travel_During_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan)\n- [Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Cool_Festivals_After_Lunar_New_Year)\n  - [Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Foguangshan_New_Year_Festival_of_Light_Peace)\n  - [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Taiwan_Lantern_Festival)\n  - [Lantern Festivals in other Cities](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Lantern_Festivals_in_other_Cities)\n  - [Pingxi Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Pingxi_Lantern_Festival)\n  - [Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Yanshui_Beehive_Fireworks_Festival)\n  - [Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Bombing_Master_Handan_and_Bombing_the_Dragon_Festivals)\n- [Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Final_Thoughts_How_to_Plan_a_Chinese_New_Year_Trip_in_Taiwan)\n  - [Related Posts](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan\/#Related_Posts)\n\nSince the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20.\n\nThe 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is **Tuesday, February 17.** The national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22.\n\nThis year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed.\n\nIn my newer guide to [Lunar New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/), I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like.\n\n**You may also want to consider getting a [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=630235&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F76302-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-pick-up-taipei%2F). See my full [review of the pass](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-fun-pass\/).**\n\n## “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”\nWhen speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones.\n\nIt’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own.\n\nHowever, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone.\n\nIn Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival (*chun jie\/*春節) or *guo nian* (過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say.\n\nAnytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year (*xin nian kuai le\/*新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity (*gong xi fa cai\/*恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it\\!\n\n## How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?\n![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lunar-new-year-taiwan-meal.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThat’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak [the Taiwanese language](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-languages\/), in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan\n\nHow long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days.\n\nHowever, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend.\n\nThis will result in a lovely **9 days off** (Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years.\n\n### What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?\n![A traffic jam on the highway](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lunar-new-year-traffic-jam-taiwan-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTraffic jams as the masses head south\n\nSo what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone **gathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family** on Lunar New Year’s Eve (*chu xi* or 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west.\n\nThey usually gather in their hometown or parents’\/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration **“going down”** (下去).\n\nThis means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days.\n\nTo beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and **playing *mahjong***.\n\n![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mahjong-taiwan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nI quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year\n\nOn **New Year’s Day** (*chu yi* or 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or *hong bao*) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel.\n\nOn **Day 2** of the lunar new year (*chu er* or 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called *hui niang jia* (回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao.\n\nIf the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY.\n\n![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or \"hong bao\"](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/red-envelope-hong-bao-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRed envelopes or “hong bao”\n\nFrom **Day 3** until the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance.\n\nI’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up – **flight prices often go up** at this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars.\n\nIf I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs.\n\nBut since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws.\n\n![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kaohliang-taiwan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nBe careful with this stuff\\!\n\nThe one thing I’ve learned, though: **don’t say yes to the *kaoliang*** (a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it.\n\nDrinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his\/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this).\n\n### How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?\nMost students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country.\n\nBut you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets, [Jiufen Old Street](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/jiufen-old-street-taiwan\/), and so on.\n\n## How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?\n![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taipei-during-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTypical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan\n\nI’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful. [January](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-january\/) is the **coldest month of the year** (average 13.9°C) and [February](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-in-february\/) is the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C.\n\nThat may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling.\n\nOn the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel.\n\nSometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of [Northern Taiwan’s beaches](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-taipei-beaches\/).\n\nThe best part is that it’s **perfect weather for hot springs** ([see my favorite ones](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-hot-springs\/)).\n\n### How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?\n![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/secret-beach-xiaoliuqiu.jpg?strip=all)\n\nYou can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu\n\nThe weather in [New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/new-taipei-city-guide\/), Taoyuan, and [Hualien](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-hualien-taiwan\/)\/[Taroko Gorge](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taroko-gorge-taiwan\/) are going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast.\n\n[Taichung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-taichung\/) and [Miaoli](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/miaoli-taiwan\/) are usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital. [Tainan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/), [Kaohsiung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-kaohsiung\/), [Taitung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-taitung\/), [Pingtung](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/pingtung-taiwan\/), and [Kenting](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/kenting-national-park\/) can be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In [Dulan, Taitung](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/dulan-taiwan-surfing-beach\/), people even surf year-round, while over on [Xiaoliuqiu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/xiaoliuqiu-lambai-island-taiwan\/), they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time.\n\nOne exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting [Alishan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/alishan-taiwan-sunrise\/) or [Cingjing Farm](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/cingjing-farm-taiwan\/), for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing\\!\n\nAs for [Sun Moon Lake](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/sun-moon-lake-taiwan\/), it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like [Orchid Island](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/orchid-island-lanyu-taiwan\/) (which is mostly closed) and [Penghu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/penghu-islands-taiwan\/) (which gets crazy windy) in winter.\n\n### Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?\n![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/snow-mountain-taiwan-winter.jpg?strip=all)\n\nMe on the top of Snow Mountain in winter\n\nIt’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to [where to see snow in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter\/).\n\nIt doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on [Yangmingshan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-to-yangmingshan\/), as well as [Taipingshan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipingshan\/) in [Yilan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan\/). When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows?\n\nIf you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to [Hehuanshan (合歡山)](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hehuanshan-sunrise-hiking-snow\/), which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from [Taichung\/Puli\/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taichung-to-cingjing-farm\/)). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge, [Songsyue Lodge](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/songsyue-lodge-hehuanshan\/).\n\nBut note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed.\n\nYou can organize a [day tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/12538-cingjing-farm-hehuan-mountain-one-day-tour-taichung\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452).\n\nAnother way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or [Jade Mountain](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/yushan-jade-mountain-guide\/) (玉山 or Yushan).\n\n### What about Cherry Blossoms?\n![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/wuling-farm-cherry-blossoms.png?strip=all)\n\nCherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung\n\nWhether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year.\n\nUsually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January. **February to mid-March is the best time** overall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like [these spots in Alishan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/alishan-cherry-blossoms\/).\n\nHowever, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2).\n\nI have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best [cherry blossom forecast](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/) every year.\n\n### Strawberry Season in Taiwan\n![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/strawberry-picking-dahu-miaoli.jpg?strip=all)\n\nChinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan\n\nWhile Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!)\n\nNeihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early\\!\n\nFind out everything you need to know in my guides to [strawberry farms in Dahu](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/dahu-strawberry-farm-taiwan\/) and [Tai’an Hot Spring](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taian-hot-spring-miaoli-taiwan\/).\n\n## Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year\n![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/taoyuan-airport-baggage-area.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLines at Taoyuan International Airport\n\nIf you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be **quite expensive**.\n\nFor example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to \\$1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up.\n\nIt can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this [list of budget airlines flying to Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cheapest-flights-taiwan\/).\n\nMy parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices.\n\n**I recommend using [WayAway](https:\/\/tp.media\/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) or [Kiwi](https:\/\/tp.media\/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) to find cheap flights to Taipei.**\n\n## Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei\nIn the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s [traditional markets](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taiwan-markets\/) get insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts.\n\nA few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City:\n\n### Dihua Street before Lunar New Year\n![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/dihua-street-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all)\n\nDihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies.\n\n[Dihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/dihua-stree-dadaocheng\/), just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday.\n\nThe entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds.\n\nOnce the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below).\n\n### Nanmen Market, Taipei\n![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/nanmen-market-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nGiant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market\n\nA lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near [Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall\/).\n\nThis large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool.\n\nFollowing a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though\\!\n\n### Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan\n![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/sanfong-central-street-kaohsiung-1024x768.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung\n\nIn **Taichung**, you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at [Jiguang Street](https:\/\/taichung.travel\/en\/attractions\/intro\/1343) (繼光街). In Tainan, [Xin Hua Old Street](https:\/\/www.taiwannews.com.tw\/en\/news\/4417374) (新化老街) is the place to go.\n\nIn Kaohsiung, try [Sanfong Central Street](https:\/\/www.travelking.com.tw\/eng\/tourguide\/taiwanoldstreets\/sanfong-chinese-new-year-market.html) (三鳳中街).\n\n## What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?\n![Longshan Temple, Taipei](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/longshan-temple-taipei-city.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLNY decorations at Longshan Temple\n\nEverything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals **flocking to traditional markets** to pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor.\n\nOn New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start **vacating the city** and driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve.\n\nOn New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will **feel like ghost towns.** The streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet.\n\nAround Day 3 and Day 4, things start **gradually reopening**, and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again.\n\nI go into much more detail about this, including the **specific dates everything will open or close,** the best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to [visiting Taipei during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/).\n\n## What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?\n![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/fenqihu-train-station-alishan.jpg?strip=all)\n\nLocals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu\n\nIt is important to consider local people’s **New Year holiday schedule** when planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year.\n\nGenerally speaking, **half the country will be on the road** in the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel.\n\nIt’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that **you can always buy a non-reserved ticket** at the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is [my guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/high-speed-rail-booking\/).\n\nBy dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and **staying at home**. As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels.\n\nOn Day 2 of the New Year, many **people hit the road again**, because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called *hui niang jia* or 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free.\n\nFrom day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when **highways get super busy again**, highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max.\n\nIf you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to **book your hotel room far in advance**, and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out.\n\nA safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung, [Tainan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/), or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time.\n\n## Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year\nCompared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is **surprisingly boring** during the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city).\n\nThere’s **no public parade**, and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does\\!\n\nThe most reliable **lion dance performances** every year [Grand Hyatt Taipei](https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/tw\/grand-hyatt-taipei-taipei50.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=taipei-chinese-new-year) near Taipei 101, but there are a few others.\n\nI’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only.\n\n### Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others\n![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/grand-hyatt-taipei-lion-dance.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel.\n\nThe event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points.\n\nAt the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year\\!\n\nAlso feel free to read about our [luxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/grand-hyatt-muscat-review-with-kids\/), especially if you are visiting [Taipei with children](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-with-kids\/)\\!\n\nWhile you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at [the hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant.](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=626006&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F40122-caf%25C3%25A9-in-grand-hyatt-taipei-at-taipei-101-world-trade-center-station%2F) We loved it\\!\n\nThere are a few **other places with lion dances** in Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about [this year’s locations](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/chinese-new-year-taipei\/#Watch_Lion_Dragon_Dancing).\n\n### Taipei 101 Observatory\n![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\\!](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-101-with-kids.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going.\n\nI have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to [book your ticket online](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/1659-taipei-101-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452), and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\nTaipei 101 also has the special [Skyline 460](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=628443&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F23966-101-skyline-460-skip-the-line-ticket-taipei%2F) experience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket.\n\nFind more info in my [guide to visiting Taipei 101](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/taipei-101\/) and my [personal experience doing Skyline 460](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/skyline-460-taipei-101\/).\n\n### Elephant Mountain\n![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taipei-elephant-mountain-view.jpg?strip=all)\n\nHiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see [my guide to Elephant Mountain](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/elephant-mountain-xiangshan-taipei\/).\n\nBesides Elephant Mountain, there are several other [Taipei hikes with views of Taipei 101](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/hiking-in-taipei-best-hikes\/).\n\n### Taipei Zoo\n![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\\!](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-zoo-panda.jpg?strip=all)\n\nTaipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there).\n\nMoreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\n### Maokong Gondola\n![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/maokong-gondola-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRight beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in [my Maokong Gondola guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/maokong-gondola-taipei\/).\n\nCheck out this [Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/16000-maokong-gondola-combo-ticket-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452).\n\nThe gondola is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\n### National Palace Museum\n### ![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/national-palace-museum-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\nLike several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance.\n\nBecause it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the [best traditional Taiwan souvenirs](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/souvenirs-taiwan\/).\n\nYou can save a little money if you [book your National Palace Museum ticket online](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-CA\/activity\/10136-national-palace-museum-ticket-package-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) before you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass.](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F)\n\n### Taipei Children’s Amusement Park\n![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/taipei-childrens-amusement-park.jpg?strip=all)\n\nJust like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) (entrance fee only, rides cost extra).\n\nSome larger [theme parks in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taiwan-theme-parks\/), including [Leofoo Village theme park](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/leofoo-village-theme-park\/) in [Hsinchu](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hsinchu-taiwan-guide\/), are open every day of the year.\n\n### Beitou Hot Springs\n![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/beitou-thermal-valley.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei.\n\nSince most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See [my guide to Beitou](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/beitou-hot-spring\/) for the best ones.\n\nHowever, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday.\n\n- Beitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year.\n- Beitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year.\n- Beitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays.\n- Beitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n\nOther hot spring options outside of Taipei include [Tienlai Resort](https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/tw\/tienlai.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=taiwan-january) in Jinshan, [Wulai](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/wulai-hot-spring-taipei-taiwan\/) south of the city and [Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/jiaoxi-hot-spring-yilan-taiwan\/) in [Yilan county](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan\/). See all the details in my guide to the [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/).\n\nFurther afield, there’s also the super unique [mud hot spring at Guanziling](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/guanziling-hot-spring-tainan-taiwan\/). All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year.\n\n### Visiting Temples\n![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/tian-yuan-temple-taipei.jpg?strip=all)\n\nMost temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple.\n\n[Longshan Temple](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/longshan-temple-taipei\/) can be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in [Tamsui](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/tamsui-old-street\/) (image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about [when to see where blossoms in Taiwan](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/cherry-blossoms-taiwan\/)).\n\nSee this guide to my favorite [30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/best-taipei-temples-taiwan\/) for all the information.\n\n### Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants\n![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/miramar-taipei-ferris-wheel.jpg?strip=all)\n\nWhile it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores **remain open** during Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on.\n\nEven the [giant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/17764-miramar-entertainment-park-ferris-wheel-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) (pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F).\n\nNot only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope (*hong bao* or 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives).\n\nSee my [Taipei shopping guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/shopping-in-taipei\/) to the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city.\n\n![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taiwan-7-eleven.jpg?strip=all)\n\nSo where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei **NEVER CLOSE. Ever**.\n\nIn the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea [now takes the top spot](https:\/\/www.taiwannews.com.tw\/en\/news\/3397167)), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store.\n\nMost major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day.\n\nIn terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just **call first to find out**, and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants.\n\nOne year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer.\n\n**Here are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates:**\n\n- [Shifen Waterfall](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=648885&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F76306-yehliu-jiufen-shifen-golden-waterfall-day-tour%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve\n- National Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n- Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\n- [Din Tai Feng Restaurant](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=638839&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F18435-din-tai-fung-taipei%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day\n- [Ximending](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-ximending-night-market\/) Red House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve\n- Bopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year\n- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open\n- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open\n## If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan\nIf you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, **you’ll still survive**\\!\n\nYou may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28\/29\/30 days in advance for weekday\/Saturday\/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year, **they usually release ALL the tickets** for the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck\\!\n\nIf you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that **you can always buy a standing ticket** on regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on.\n\n![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/taiwan-hsr-with-kids.jpg?strip=all)\n\nRiding the HSR with my kids\n\nA far better choice if you can afford it is to take the **High Speed Rail.** You can try reserving on the [official website](https:\/\/www.thsrc.com.tw\/en\/) or [here on Klook](https:\/\/affiliate.klook.com\/jump\/en-US\/activity\/816-thsr-one-way-ticket-taipei\/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train.\n\nIf you don’t get tickets, not to worry\\! **Cars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section**, so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains.\n\nAnd if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance.\n\n## Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year\nFor foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper\\!\n\n### Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace\n![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/foguangshan-lanterns-night.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOne incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display.\n\nThe Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can [check for updates here](https:\/\/www.fgsbmc.org.tw\/en\/activity-main.aspx).\n\nFind more information about [visiting Foguangshan Temple here](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/fo-guang-shan-taiwan\/).\n\n### Taiwan Lantern Festival\n![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/taiwan-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Lantern Festival (*yuan xiao jie* or 元宵節) is an [ancient Chinese festival](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lantern_Festival) that takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating *tang yuan* (little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my [guide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan\/).\n\nEvery year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above).\n\nThese events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one.\n\nIn 2026, the **National Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi** from March 3 to 15.\n\nBecause this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too.\n\n### Lantern Festivals in other Cities\n![Taipei Lantern Festival](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/lantern-festival-taiwan-1.jpg?strip=all)\n\nEvery year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals.\n\nMost of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival.\n\nHere are the **2026 dates and locations** of all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and\/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it.\n\n- **Taipei Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park ([here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/trZJbfKfzrRj8atK6)) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9rzxqXjmrMdWCcnCA) and Chengdu Road [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/3qntbdNgwWT2PwSs6)). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays.\n\n- **New Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026**: As usual, the Lantern Display for [New Taipei City](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/new-taipei-city-guide\/) will be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT, [roughly here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xwNibgmZBZqWRvwD9)), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event.\n\n- **Taoyuan Lantern Festival 2026**: This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/k6SB6breZdYVpGqr5)) from February 25 to March 8.\n\n- **Hsinchu Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my [Hsinchu guide](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/hsinchu-taiwan-guide\/ \"A Travel Guide to Hsinchu, Taiwan’s Silicon Valley\").\n\n- **Tainan Lantern Festival 2026**: Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including: [Puji Temple Light Display](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HdTwifo1SuY7oe3e6) (台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center, [Yuejing Harbor Lantern Show](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/yuejinlanternfestival\/) in Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and [Huxingshan Park](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/2r8he9c4PtNHMuQv8) (虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below).\n\n- **Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026**: In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/s1A6DEssM1sPNMrC8)) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay. [Pier 2 Art Center](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung\/) nearby usually has lit-up art installations, too.\n  [Foguangshan Monastery](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/fo-guang-shan-taiwan\/) in Kaohsiung will host the **Festival of Lights and Peace**, with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18.\n  [Qishan Old Street](https:\/\/www.taiwanobsessed.com\/qishan-old-street-kaohsiung\/) (about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time.\n\n- **Taitung Lantern Festival 2026**: Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival.\n\n- **Hualien Lantern Festival 2026**: Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/qkbSDa91M6Nby26H6)) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8.\n\n- **Yilan Lantern Festival 2026**: Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/GwULu3aLEgJ4B7yX9)).\n\n- **Nantou Lantern Festival 2026**: Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心, [here](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/eS9ja8zEdy1JAKjx8)) from February 14 to March 8.\n### Pingxi Lantern Festival\n![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/pingxi-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nThe Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar).\n\nThis year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days:\n\nThe first one will take place on **Friday, February 27** (2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day.\n\nThe second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was **Tuesday, March 3** (2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall.\n\nThe events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM.\n\nI went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment.\n\nYou can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the [best day trips from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/day-trips-from-taipei\/) and [how to get to Shifen from Taipei](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/taipei-to-jiufen-to-shifen\/).\n\n### Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival\n![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](https:\/\/e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/yanshui-beehive-rockets-festival.jpg?strip=all)\n\nOn the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮).\n\nEvery year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous [Jingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/qigu-salt-mountain-tainan-jingzijiao-wapan-salt-fields-taiwan\/), lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries.\n\nThe tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read [my guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival](https:\/\/www.nickkembel.com\/yanshui-beehive-fireworks-festival\/) for all the details.\n\nAfter being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3.\n\n### Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals\nA lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out [why they do it](https:\/\/taiwangods.moi.gov.tw\/html\/landscape_EN\/1_0011.aspx?i=92).\n\nMeanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the [Miaoli Bombing of the Dragon](https:\/\/english.hakka.gov.tw\/Content\/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=42343&LanguageType=ENG) culminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon.\n\n## Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan\nPerhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right.\n\nWhen booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference.\n\nIf you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday.\n\nFor day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance.\n\n**I hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful\\!**","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are living in Taiwan and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip. Some people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the best time to visit Taiwan . Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of winter in Taiwan , a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan. Lunar New Year is the most important of Taiwan’s holidays and the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does. What’s more interesting for visitors is the Taiwan Lantern Festival , which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year. Taipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining what’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY ). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare. However, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article. On the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting these amazing hot springs , and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some cherry blossoms in Taiwan ! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst time to visit Taipei . See here for more general travel information about Taiwan and join my free Taiwan Travel Planning group . Also read: Visiting Taiwan during January Visiting Taiwan during February Visiting Taiwan during March Visiting Taiwan during April Visiting Taiwan during May Visiting Taiwan during June Visiting Taiwan during July Visiting Taiwan during August Visiting Taiwan during September Visiting Taiwan during October Visiting Taiwan during November Visiting Taiwan during December In this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday. If you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended Taipei itinerary , best day trips from Taipei , Taiwan itinerary , and where to stay in Taipei . Table of Contents When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan? “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year” How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan? What Do Locals Do During the Holiday? How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan? How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei? How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan? Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year? What about Cherry Blossoms? Strawberry Season in Taiwan Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei Dihua Street before Lunar New Year Nanmen Market, Taipei Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year? What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year? Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others Taipei 101 Observatory Elephant Mountain Taipei Zoo Maokong Gondola National Palace Museum Taipei Children’s Amusement Park Beitou Hot Springs Visiting Temples Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace Taiwan Lantern Festival Lantern Festivals in other Cities Pingxi Lantern Festival Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan Related Posts Since the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20. The 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is Tuesday, February 17. The national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22. This year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed. In my newer guide to Lunar New Year in Taipei , I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like. You may also want to consider getting a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . See my full review of the pass . “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year” When speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones. It’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own. However, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone. In Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival ( chun jie/ 春節) or guo nian (過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say. Anytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year ( xin nian kuai le/ 新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity ( gong xi fa cai/ 恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it! How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan? That’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak the Taiwanese language , in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days. However, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend. This will result in a lovely 9 days off (Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years. What Do Locals Do During the Holiday? Traffic jams as the masses head south So what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone gathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family on Lunar New Year’s Eve ( chu xi or 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west. They usually gather in their hometown or parents’/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration “going down” (下去). This means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days. To beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and playing mahjong . I quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year On New Year’s Day ( chu yi or 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or hong bao ) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel. On Day 2 of the lunar new year ( chu er or 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called hui niang jia (回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao. If the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY. Red envelopes or “hong bao” From Day 3 until the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance. I’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up – flight prices often go up at this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars. If I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs. But since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws. Be careful with this stuff! The one thing I’ve learned, though: don’t say yes to the kaoliang (a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it. Drinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this). How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan? Most students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country. But you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets, Jiufen Old Street , and so on. How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei? Typical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan I’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful. January is the coldest month of the year (average 13.9°C) and February is the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C. That may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling. On the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of Northern Taiwan’s beaches . The best part is that it’s perfect weather for hot springs ( see my favorite ones ). How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan? You can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu The weather in New Taipei City , Taoyuan, and Hualien / Taroko Gorge are going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast. Taichung and Miaoli are usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital. Tainan , Kaohsiung , Taitung , Pingtung , and Kenting can be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In Dulan, Taitung , people even surf year-round, while over on Xiaoliuqiu , they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time. One exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting Alishan or Cingjing Farm , for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing! As for Sun Moon Lake , it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like Orchid Island (which is mostly closed) and Penghu (which gets crazy windy) in winter. Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year? Me on the top of Snow Mountain in winter It’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to where to see snow in Taiwan . It doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on Yangmingshan , as well as Taipingshan in Yilan . When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows? If you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to Hehuanshan (合歡山) , which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from Taichung/Puli/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺 ). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge, Songsyue Lodge . But note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed. You can organize a day tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here . Another way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or Jade Mountain (玉山 or Yushan). What about Cherry Blossoms? Cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung Whether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year. Usually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January. February to mid-March is the best time overall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like these spots in Alishan . However, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2). I have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best cherry blossom forecast every year. Strawberry Season in Taiwan Chinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan While Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!) Neihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early! Find out everything you need to know in my guides to strawberry farms in Dahu and Tai’an Hot Spring . Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year Lines at Taoyuan International Airport If you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be quite expensive . For example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to $1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up. It can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this list of budget airlines flying to Taiwan . My parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices. I recommend using WayAway or Kiwi to find cheap flights to Taipei. Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei In the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s traditional markets get insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts. A few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City: Dihua Street before Lunar New Year Dihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies. Dihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng , just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday. The entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds. Once the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below). Nanmen Market, Taipei Giant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market A lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall . This large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool. Following a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though! Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan Lunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung In Taichung , you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at Jiguang Street (繼光街). In Tainan, Xin Hua Old Street (新化老街) is the place to go. In Kaohsiung, try Sanfong Central Street (三鳳中街). What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year? LNY decorations at Longshan Temple Everything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals flocking to traditional markets to pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor. On New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start vacating the city and driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve. On New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will feel like ghost towns. The streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet. Around Day 3 and Day 4, things start gradually reopening , and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again. I go into much more detail about this, including the specific dates everything will open or close, the best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to visiting Taipei during Lunar New Year . What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year? Locals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu It is important to consider local people’s New Year holiday schedule when planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year. Generally speaking, half the country will be on the road in the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel. It’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that you can always buy a non-reserved ticket at the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is my guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan . By dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and staying at home . As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels. On Day 2 of the New Year, many people hit the road again , because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called hui niang jia or 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free. From day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when highways get super busy again , highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max. If you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to book your hotel room far in advance , and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out. A safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung, Tainan , or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time. Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year Compared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is surprisingly boring during the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city). There’s no public parade , and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does! The most reliable lion dance performances every year Grand Hyatt Taipei near Taipei 101, but there are a few others. I’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only. Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others One special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel. The event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points. At the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year! Also feel free to read about our luxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei , especially if you are visiting Taipei with children ! While you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at the hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant. We loved it! There are a few other places with lion dances in Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about this year’s locations . Taipei 101 Observatory The Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going. I have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to book your ticket online , and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . Taipei 101 also has the special Skyline 460 experience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket. Find more info in my guide to visiting Taipei 101 and my personal experience doing Skyline 460 . Elephant Mountain Hiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see my guide to Elephant Mountain . Besides Elephant Mountain, there are several other Taipei hikes with views of Taipei 101 . Taipei Zoo Taipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there). Moreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . Maokong Gondola Right beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in my Maokong Gondola guide . Check out this Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal . The gondola is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . National Palace Museum Like several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance. Because it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the best traditional Taiwan souvenirs . You can save a little money if you book your National Palace Museum ticket online before you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass. Taipei Children’s Amusement Park Just like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass (entrance fee only, rides cost extra). Some larger theme parks in Taiwan , including Leofoo Village theme park in Hsinchu , are open every day of the year. Beitou Hot Springs One of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei. Since most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See my guide to Beitou for the best ones. However, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday. Beitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year. Beitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year. Beitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays. Beitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Other hot spring options outside of Taipei include Tienlai Resort in Jinshan, Wulai south of the city and Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village in Yilan county . See all the details in my guide to the best day trips from Taipei . Further afield, there’s also the super unique mud hot spring at Guanziling . All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year. Visiting Temples Most temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple. Longshan Temple can be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui (image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about when to see where blossoms in Taiwan ). See this guide to my favorite 30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City for all the information. Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants While it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores remain open during Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on. Even the giant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall (pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . Not only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope ( hong bao or 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives). See my Taipei shopping guide to the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city. So where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei NEVER CLOSE. Ever . In the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea now takes the top spot ), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store. Most major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day. In terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just call first to find out , and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants. One year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer. Here are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates: Shifen Waterfall : usually closed on New Year’s Eve National Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year Din Tai Feng Restaurant : usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Ximending Red House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve Bopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan If you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, you’ll still survive ! You may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28/29/30 days in advance for weekday/Saturday/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year, they usually release ALL the tickets for the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck! If you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that you can always buy a standing ticket on regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on. Riding the HSR with my kids A far better choice if you can afford it is to take the High Speed Rail. You can try reserving on the official website or here on Klook . Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train. If you don’t get tickets, not to worry! Cars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section , so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains. And if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance. Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year For foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper! Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace One incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display. The Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can check for updates here . Find more information about visiting Foguangshan Temple here . Taiwan Lantern Festival The Lantern Festival ( yuan xiao jie or 元宵節) is an ancient Chinese festival that takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating tang yuan (little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my guide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival . Every year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above). These events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one. In 2026, the National Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi from March 3 to 15. Because this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too. Lantern Festivals in other Cities Every year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals. Most of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival. Here are the 2026 dates and locations of all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it. Taipei Lantern Festival 2026 : In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park ( here ) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road here and Chengdu Road here ). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays. New Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026 : As usual, the Lantern Display for New Taipei City will be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT, roughly here ), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event. Taoyuan Lantern Festival 2026 : This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園, here ) from February 25 to March 8. Hsinchu Lantern Festival 2026 : In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my Hsinchu guide . Tainan Lantern Festival 2026 : Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including: Puji Temple Light Display (台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center, Yuejing Harbor Lantern Show in Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and Huxingshan Park (虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below). Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026 : In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣, here ) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay. Pier 2 Art Center nearby usually has lit-up art installations, too. Foguangshan Monastery in Kaohsiung will host the Festival of Lights and Peace , with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18. Qishan Old Street (about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time. Taitung Lantern Festival 2026 : Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival. Hualien Lantern Festival 2026 : Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道, here ) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8. Yilan Lantern Festival 2026 : Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道, here ). Nantou Lantern Festival 2026 : Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心, here ) from February 14 to March 8. Pingxi Lantern Festival The Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar). This year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days: The first one will take place on Friday, February 27 (2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day. The second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was Tuesday, March 3 (2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall. The events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM. I went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment. You can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the best day trips from Taipei and how to get to Shifen from Taipei . Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival On the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮). Every year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous Jingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain , lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries. The tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read my guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival for all the details. After being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3. Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals A lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out why they do it . Meanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the Miaoli Bombing of the Dragon culminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon. Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan Perhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right. When booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference. If you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday. For day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance. I hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful!
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[Privacy Policy](https://www.nickkembel.com/privacy-policy/) # Lunar New Year 2026 in Taiwan: Chinese New Year Travel Guide February 24, 2026 February 12, 2026 by [Nick Kembel](https://www.nickkembel.com/author/spiritualtravels/ "View all posts by Nick Kembel") ![A detailed guide to traveling to Taiwan during Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and Taipei during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA7AAAAH9AQAAAAALn630AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABRSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFwY7JsAAS18nFYAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![A detailed guide to traveling to Taiwan during Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and Taipei during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/chinese-new-year-taiwan-header.jpg?strip=all&fit=944%2C509) Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are [living in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/living-in-taiwan/) and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip. Some people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the [best time to visit Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taiwan/). Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of [winter in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter/), a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan. Lunar New Year is the most important of [Taiwan’s holidays](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/festivals-in-taiwan/) and the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does. What’s more interesting for visitors is the [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan/), which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year. Taipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining [what’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/)). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare. However, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article. On the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting [these amazing hot springs](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-hot-springs/), and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some [cherry blossoms in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/)! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst [time to visit Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taipei/). See here for more [general travel information about Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-travel-guide/) and join my free [Taiwan Travel Planning group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaiwanTravelPlanning/). Also read: - [Visiting Taiwan during January](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-january/) - [Visiting Taiwan during February](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-february/) - [Visiting Taiwan during March](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-march/) - [Visiting Taiwan during April](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-april/) - [Visiting Taiwan during May](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-may/) - [Visiting Taiwan during June](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-june/) - [Visiting Taiwan during July](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-july/) - [Visiting Taiwan during August](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-august/) - [Visiting Taiwan during September](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-september/) - [Visiting Taiwan during October](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-october/) - [Visiting Taiwan during November](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-november/) - [Visiting Taiwan during December](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-december/) In this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday. If you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended [Taipei itinerary](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-itinerary-4-days/), [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/), [Taiwan itinerary](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-itinerary-1-2-3-weeks/), and [where to stay in Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/where-to-stay-in-taipei/). Table of Contents Toggle - [When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#When_is_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#%E2%80%9CChinese_New_Year%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CLunar_New_Year%E2%80%9D) - [How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#How_Many_Days_Do_People_Have_Off_for_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_Do_Locals_Do_During_the_Holiday) - [How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#How_Long_is_the_Chinese_New_Year_Holiday_for_Students_in_Taiwan) - [How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Hows_the_Weather_During_New_Year_in_Taipei) - [How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Hows_the_Chinese_New_Year_weather_in_the_rest_of_Taiwan) - [Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Can_I_See_Snow_in_Taiwan_during_Lunar_New_Year) - [What about Cherry Blossoms?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_about_Cherry_Blossoms) - [Strawberry Season in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Strawberry_Season_in_Taiwan) - [Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Flying_to_or_from_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Special_Activities_Leading_Up_to_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taipei) - [Dihua Street before Lunar New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Dihua_Street_before_Lunar_New_Year) - [Nanmen Market, Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Nanmen_Market_Taipei) - [Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Lunar_New_Year_Markets_in_Other_Cities_in_Taiwan) - [What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_is_Taipei_like_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_is_it_like_traveling_around_during_Lunar_New_Year) - [Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Things_to_Do_in_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Dragon_and_Lion_Dancing_at_Grand_Hyatt_Others) - [Taipei 101 Observatory](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_101_Observatory) - [Elephant Mountain](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Elephant_Mountain) - [Taipei Zoo](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_Zoo) - [Maokong Gondola](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Maokong_Gondola) - [National Palace Museum](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#National_Palace_Museum) - [Taipei Children’s Amusement Park](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_Childrens_Amusement_Park) - [Beitou Hot Springs](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Beitou_Hot_Springs) - [Visiting Temples](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Visiting_Temples) - [Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Department_Stores_Convenience_Stores_and_Restaurants) - [If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#If_You_Do_Have_to_Travel_During_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Cool_Festivals_After_Lunar_New_Year) - [Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Foguangshan_New_Year_Festival_of_Light_Peace) - [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taiwan_Lantern_Festival) - [Lantern Festivals in other Cities](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Lantern_Festivals_in_other_Cities) - [Pingxi Lantern Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Pingxi_Lantern_Festival) - [Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Yanshui_Beehive_Fireworks_Festival) - [Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Bombing_Master_Handan_and_Bombing_the_Dragon_Festivals) - [Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Final_Thoughts_How_to_Plan_a_Chinese_New_Year_Trip_in_Taiwan) - [Related Posts](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Related_Posts) ## When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan? Since the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20. The 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is Tuesday, February 17. The national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22. This year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed. In my newer guide to [Lunar New Year in Taipei](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/), I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like. You may also want to consider getting a [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=630235&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F76302-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-pick-up-taipei%2F). See my full [review of the pass](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-fun-pass/). ## “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year” When speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones. It’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own. However, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone. In Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival (chun jie/春節) or guo nian (過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say. Anytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year (xin nian kuai le/新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity (gong xi fa cai/恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it\! ## How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan? ![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lunar-new-year-taiwan-meal.jpg?strip=all) That’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak [the Taiwanese language](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-languages/), in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days. However, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend. This will result in a lovely 9 days off (Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years. ### What Do Locals Do During the Holiday? ![A traffic jam on the highway](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![A traffic jam on the highway](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/lunar-new-year-traffic-jam-taiwan-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Traffic jams as the masses head south So what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone gathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family on Lunar New Year’s Eve (chu xi or 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west. They usually gather in their hometown or parents’/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration “going down” (下去). This means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days. To beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and *playing mahjong*. ![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJsAQAAAAD2XVBEAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABWSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/gb+TAAB6ig2wwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mahjong-taiwan.jpg?strip=all) I quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year On New Year’s Day** (chu yi or 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or hong bao) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel. On Day 2 of the lunar new year (chu er or 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called hui niang jia (回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao. If the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY. ![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or "hong bao"](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or "hong bao"](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/red-envelope-hong-bao-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Red envelopes or “hong bao” From Day 3 until the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance. I’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up – flight prices often go up at this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars. If I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs. But since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws. ![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+QAAAPkAQAAAAAIJsm8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAACQSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCy+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBn6kcAAYWOoOwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kaohliang-taiwan.jpg?strip=all) Be careful with this stuff\! The one thing I’ve learned, though: *don’t say yes to the kaoliang* (a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it. Drinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this). ### How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan? Most students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country. But you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets, [Jiufen Old Street](https://www.nickkembel.com/jiufen-old-street-taiwan/), and so on. ## How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei? ![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taipei-during-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all) Typical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan I’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful. [January](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-january/) is the coldest month of the year (average 13.9°C) and [February](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-february/) is the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C. That may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling. On the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of [Northern Taiwan’s beaches](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-taipei-beaches/). The best part is that it’s perfect weather for hot springs ([see my favorite ones](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-hot-springs/)). ### How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan? ![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/secret-beach-xiaoliuqiu.jpg?strip=all) You can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu The weather in [New Taipei City](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/new-taipei-city-guide/), Taoyuan, and [Hualien](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-hualien-taiwan/)/[Taroko Gorge](https://www.nickkembel.com/taroko-gorge-taiwan/) are going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast. [Taichung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-taichung/) and [Miaoli](https://www.nickkembel.com/miaoli-taiwan/) are usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital. [Tainan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan/), [Kaohsiung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-kaohsiung/), [Taitung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-taitung/), [Pingtung](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/pingtung-taiwan/), and [Kenting](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/kenting-national-park/) can be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In [Dulan, Taitung](https://www.nickkembel.com/dulan-taiwan-surfing-beach/), people even surf year-round, while over on [Xiaoliuqiu](https://www.nickkembel.com/xiaoliuqiu-lambai-island-taiwan/), they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time. One exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting [Alishan](https://www.nickkembel.com/alishan-taiwan-sunrise/) or [Cingjing Farm](https://www.nickkembel.com/cingjing-farm-taiwan/), for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing\! As for [Sun Moon Lake](https://www.nickkembel.com/sun-moon-lake-taiwan/), it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like [Orchid Island](https://www.nickkembel.com/orchid-island-lanyu-taiwan/) (which is mostly closed) and [Penghu](https://www.nickkembel.com/penghu-islands-taiwan/) (which gets crazy windy) in winter. ### Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year? ![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/snow-mountain-taiwan-winter.jpg?strip=all) Me on the top of Snow Mountain in winter It’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to [where to see snow in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter/). It doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on [Yangmingshan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-to-yangmingshan/), as well as [Taipingshan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipingshan/) in [Yilan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan/). When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows? If you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to [Hehuanshan (合歡山)](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hehuanshan-sunrise-hiking-snow/), which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from [Taichung/Puli/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taichung-to-cingjing-farm/)). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge, [Songsyue Lodge](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/songsyue-lodge-hehuanshan/). But note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed. You can organize a [day tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/12538-cingjing-farm-hehuan-mountain-one-day-tour-taichung/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Another way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or [Jade Mountain](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/yushan-jade-mountain-guide/) (玉山 or Yushan). ### What about Cherry Blossoms? ![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJsAQAAAAD2XVBEAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABWSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/gb+TAAB6ig2wwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/wuling-farm-cherry-blossoms.png?strip=all) Cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung Whether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year. Usually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January. February to mid-March is the best time overall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like [these spots in Alishan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/alishan-cherry-blossoms/). However, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2). I have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best [cherry blossom forecast](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/) every year. ### Strawberry Season in Taiwan ![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/strawberry-picking-dahu-miaoli.jpg?strip=all) Chinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan While Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!) Neihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early\! Find out everything you need to know in my guides to [strawberry farms in Dahu](https://www.nickkembel.com/dahu-strawberry-farm-taiwan/) and [Tai’an Hot Spring](https://www.nickkembel.com/taian-hot-spring-miaoli-taiwan/). ## Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year ![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/taoyuan-airport-baggage-area.jpg?strip=all) Lines at Taoyuan International Airport If you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be quite expensive. For example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to \$1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up. It can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this [list of budget airlines flying to Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cheapest-flights-taiwan/). My parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices. I recommend using [WayAway](https://tp.media/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) or [Kiwi](https://tp.media/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) to find cheap flights to Taipei. ## Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei In the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s [traditional markets](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-markets/) get insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts. A few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City: ### Dihua Street before Lunar New Year ![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/dihua-street-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all) Dihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies. [Dihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/dihua-stree-dadaocheng/), just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday. The entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds. Once the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below). ### Nanmen Market, Taipei ![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nanmen-market-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Giant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market A lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near [Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall/). This large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool. Following a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though\! ### Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan ![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAMAAQAAAACSwSigAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAB2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADvBoMPAAHlAN1UAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sanfong-central-street-kaohsiung-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Lunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung In Taichung, you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at [Jiguang Street](https://taichung.travel/en/attractions/intro/1343) (繼光街). In Tainan, [Xin Hua Old Street](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4417374) (新化老街) is the place to go. In Kaohsiung, try [Sanfong Central Street](https://www.travelking.com.tw/eng/tourguide/taiwanoldstreets/sanfong-chinese-new-year-market.html) (三鳳中街). ## What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year? ![Longshan Temple, Taipei](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Longshan Temple, Taipei](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/longshan-temple-taipei-city.jpg?strip=all) LNY decorations at Longshan Temple Everything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals flocking to traditional markets to pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor. On New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start vacating the city and driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve. On New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will feel like ghost towns. The streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet. Around Day 3 and Day 4, things start gradually reopening, and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again. I go into much more detail about this, including the specific dates everything will open or close, the best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to [visiting Taipei during Lunar New Year](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/). ## What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year? ![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fenqihu-train-station-alishan.jpg?strip=all) Locals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu It is important to consider local people’s New Year holiday schedule when planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year. Generally speaking, half the country will be on the road in the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel. It’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that you can always buy a non-reserved ticket at the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is [my guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/high-speed-rail-booking/). By dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and staying at home. As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels. On Day 2 of the New Year, many people hit the road again*, because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called hui niang jia* or 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free. From day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when highways get super busy again, highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max. If you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to book your hotel room far in advance, and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out. A safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung, [Tainan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan/), or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time. ## Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year Compared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is surprisingly boring during the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city). There’s no public parade, and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does\! The most reliable lion dance performances every year [Grand Hyatt Taipei](https://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/grand-hyatt-taipei-taipei50.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=taipei-chinese-new-year) near Taipei 101, but there are a few others. I’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only. ### Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others ![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/grand-hyatt-taipei-lion-dance.jpg?strip=all) One special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel. The event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points. At the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year\! Also feel free to read about our [luxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/grand-hyatt-muscat-review-with-kids/), especially if you are visiting [Taipei with children](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-with-kids/)\! While you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at [the hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant.](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=626006&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F40122-caf%25C3%25A9-in-grand-hyatt-taipei-at-taipei-101-world-trade-center-station%2F) We loved it\! There are a few other places with lion dances in Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about [this year’s locations](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/#Watch_Lion_Dragon_Dancing). ### Taipei 101 Observatory ![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\!](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\!](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-101-with-kids.jpg?strip=all) The Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going. I have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to [book your ticket online](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/1659-taipei-101-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452), and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). Taipei 101 also has the special [Skyline 460](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=628443&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F23966-101-skyline-460-skip-the-line-ticket-taipei%2F) experience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket. Find more info in my [guide to visiting Taipei 101](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-101/) and my [personal experience doing Skyline 460](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/skyline-460-taipei-101/). ### Elephant Mountain ![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taipei-elephant-mountain-view.jpg?strip=all) Hiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see [my guide to Elephant Mountain](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/elephant-mountain-xiangshan-taipei/). Besides Elephant Mountain, there are several other [Taipei hikes with views of Taipei 101](https://www.nickkembel.com/hiking-in-taipei-best-hikes/). ### Taipei Zoo ![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\!](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAApsAAAPoAQAAAAC5KAgSAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABpSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDB+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHgYTBcAAaSncSsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\!](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-zoo-panda.jpg?strip=all) Taipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there). Moreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). ### Maokong Gondola ![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/maokong-gondola-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Right beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in [my Maokong Gondola guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/maokong-gondola-taipei/). Check out this [Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/16000-maokong-gondola-combo-ticket-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). The gondola is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). ### National Palace Museum ### ![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/national-palace-museum-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Like several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance. Because it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the [best traditional Taiwan souvenirs](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/souvenirs-taiwan/). You can save a little money if you [book your National Palace Museum ticket online](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/10136-national-palace-museum-ticket-package-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) before you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass.](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) ### Taipei Children’s Amusement Park ![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-childrens-amusement-park.jpg?strip=all) Just like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) (entrance fee only, rides cost extra). Some larger [theme parks in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-theme-parks/), including [Leofoo Village theme park](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/leofoo-village-theme-park/) in [Hsinchu](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hsinchu-taiwan-guide/), are open every day of the year. ### Beitou Hot Springs ![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/beitou-thermal-valley.jpg?strip=all) One of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei. Since most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See [my guide to Beitou](https://www.nickkembel.com/beitou-hot-spring/) for the best ones. However, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday. - Beitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year. - Beitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year. - Beitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays. - Beitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Other hot spring options outside of Taipei include [Tienlai Resort](https://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/tienlai.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=taiwan-january) in Jinshan, [Wulai](https://www.nickkembel.com/wulai-hot-spring-taipei-taiwan/) south of the city and [Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village](https://www.nickkembel.com/jiaoxi-hot-spring-yilan-taiwan/) in [Yilan county](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan/). See all the details in my guide to the [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/). Further afield, there’s also the super unique [mud hot spring at Guanziling](https://www.nickkembel.com/guanziling-hot-spring-tainan-taiwan/). All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year. ### Visiting Temples ![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tian-yuan-temple-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Most temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple. [Longshan Temple](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/longshan-temple-taipei/) can be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in [Tamsui](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/tamsui-old-street/) (image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about [when to see where blossoms in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/)). See this guide to my favorite [30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-taipei-temples-taiwan/) for all the information. ### Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants ![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/miramar-taipei-ferris-wheel.jpg?strip=all) While it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores remain open during Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on. Even the [giant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/17764-miramar-entertainment-park-ferris-wheel-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) (pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). Not only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope (hong bao or 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives). See my [Taipei shopping guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/shopping-in-taipei/) to the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city. ![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAH1AQAAAAD93A1SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABJSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXBs19AAFXbXyVAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taiwan-7-eleven.jpg?strip=all) So where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei NEVER CLOSE. Ever. In the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea [now takes the top spot](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3397167)), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store. Most major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day. In terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just call first to find out, and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants. One year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer. Here are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates: - [Shifen Waterfall](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=648885&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F76306-yehliu-jiufen-shifen-golden-waterfall-day-tour%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve - National Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year - [Din Tai Feng Restaurant](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=638839&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F18435-din-tai-fung-taipei%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - [Ximending](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-ximending-night-market/) Red House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve - Bopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open - Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open ## If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan If you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, you’ll still survive\! You may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28/29/30 days in advance for weekday/Saturday/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year, they usually release ALL the tickets for the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck\! If you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that you can always buy a standing ticket on regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on. ![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAALuAQAAAAAV9gHgAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABySURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCU+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBjcTMAAU8PuzcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/taiwan-hsr-with-kids.jpg?strip=all) Riding the HSR with my kids A far better choice if you can afford it is to take the High Speed Rail. You can try reserving on the [official website](https://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/) or [here on Klook](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/816-thsr-one-way-ticket-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train. If you don’t get tickets, not to worry\! Cars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section, so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains. And if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance. ## Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year For foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper\! ### Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace ![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAImAQAAAABYnnlOAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABOSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDwcUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBp4ZYAAQOGTCsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) ![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/foguangshan-lanterns-night.jpg?strip=all) One incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display. The Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can [check for updates here](https://www.fgsbmc.org.tw/en/activity-main.aspx). Find more information about [visiting Foguangshan Temple here](https://www.nickkembel.com/fo-guang-shan-taiwan/). ### Taiwan Lantern Festival ![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJ9AQAAAAA+14F6AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABYSURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tCF+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDLAAVUAAEX+iooAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taiwan-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all) The Lantern Festival (yuan xiao jie or 元宵節) is an [ancient Chinese festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival) that takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating tang yuan (little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my [guide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan/). Every year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above). These events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one. In 2026, the National Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi from March 3 to 15. Because this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too. ### Lantern Festivals in other Cities ![Taipei Lantern Festival](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAzkAAAJrAQAAAADrWGD8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABVSURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHBv3jAAFIvcZPAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) ![Taipei Lantern Festival](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/lantern-festival-taiwan-1.jpg?strip=all) Every year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals. Most of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival. Here are the 2026 dates and locations of all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it. - Taipei Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park ([here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/trZJbfKfzrRj8atK6)) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9rzxqXjmrMdWCcnCA) and Chengdu Road [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3qntbdNgwWT2PwSs6)). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays. - New Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026: As usual, the Lantern Display for [New Taipei City](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/new-taipei-city-guide/) will be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT, [roughly here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xwNibgmZBZqWRvwD9)), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event. - Taoyuan Lantern Festival 2026: This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/k6SB6breZdYVpGqr5)) from February 25 to March 8. - Hsinchu Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my [Hsinchu guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hsinchu-taiwan-guide/ "A Travel Guide to Hsinchu, Taiwan’s Silicon Valley"). - Tainan Lantern Festival 2026: Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including: [Puji Temple Light Display](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdTwifo1SuY7oe3e6) (台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center, [Yuejing Harbor Lantern Show](https://www.facebook.com/yuejinlanternfestival/) in Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and [Huxingshan Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2r8he9c4PtNHMuQv8) (虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below). - Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1A6DEssM1sPNMrC8)) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay. [Pier 2 Art Center](https://www.nickkembel.com/pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung/) nearby usually has lit-up art installations, too. [Foguangshan Monastery](https://www.nickkembel.com/fo-guang-shan-taiwan/) in Kaohsiung will host the Festival of Lights and Peace, with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18. [Qishan Old Street](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/qishan-old-street-kaohsiung/) (about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time. - Taitung Lantern Festival 2026: Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival. - Hualien Lantern Festival 2026: Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qkbSDa91M6Nby26H6)) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8. - Yilan Lantern Festival 2026: Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwULu3aLEgJ4B7yX9)). - Nantou Lantern Festival 2026: Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eS9ja8zEdy1JAKjx8)) from February 14 to March 8. ### Pingxi Lantern Festival ![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pingxi-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all) The Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar). This year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days: The first one will take place on Friday, February 27 (2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day. The second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was Tuesday, March 3 (2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall. The events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM. I went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment. You can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/) and [how to get to Shifen from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-to-jiufen-to-shifen/). ### Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival ![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAKbAQAAAABOGZ2SAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAABoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+DZIWQABJR+pQgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/yanshui-beehive-rockets-festival.jpg?strip=all) On the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮). Every year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous [Jingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain](https://www.nickkembel.com/qigu-salt-mountain-tainan-jingzijiao-wapan-salt-fields-taiwan/), lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries. The tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read [my guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/yanshui-beehive-fireworks-festival/) for all the details. After being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3. ### Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals A lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out [why they do it](https://taiwangods.moi.gov.tw/html/landscape_EN/1_0011.aspx?i=92). Meanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the [Miaoli Bombing of the Dragon](https://english.hakka.gov.tw/Content/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=42343&LanguageType=ENG) culminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon. ## Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan Perhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right. When booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference. If you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday. For day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance. I hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful\! ### Related Posts - [![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/autumn-in-taiwan-header-150x150.png?strip=all)](https://www.nickkembel.com/autumn-in-taiwan/) [Autumn in Taiwan: Best Foliage Spots and Other Things to Do](https://www.nickkembel.com/autumn-in-taiwan/) - [![A detailed guide to the best time to visit Taiwan, including best season to visit taiwan and best month to visit Taiwan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![A detailed guide to the best time to visit Taiwan, including best season to visit taiwan and best month to visit Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/when-to-visit-taiwan-header-150x150.jpg?strip=all)](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taiwan/) [The Best Time to Visit Taiwan: A Month-by-Month Guide](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taiwan/) - [![A guide to spending summer in Taipei and summer in Taiwan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)![A guide to spending summer in Taipei and summer in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/summer-in-taiwan-header-150x150.jpg?strip=all)](https://www.nickkembel.com/summer-in-taipei-and-taiwan/) [Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know](https://www.nickkembel.com/summer-in-taipei-and-taiwan/) Categories [Asia](https://www.nickkembel.com/category/asia/), [Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/category/asia/taiwan/) ## 40 thoughts on “Lunar New Year 2026 in Taiwan: Chinese New Year Travel Guide” 1. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/19957e7497c064ae761bb47ec94e9092926728b81940cc3b8975213ba82c4cbc?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Kelly Barnett [January 18, 2020 at 6:20 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2429) Great article about traveling during the CNY! Have you heard any information about this year’s Dragon and Lion Dance at the Grand Hyatt Taipei? We’d love to take our little one\! Thanks [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2429) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 19, 2020 at 1:19 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2433) Hi Kelly, I’ve just called them to confirm, and the event will take place on Saturday, January 25, starting at exactly 11 AM. It begins outside the front door, then quickly moves inside to the lobby. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2433) 2. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/36568d4af4c8d3e71627ef3b8c8d00e39065b12f29676cccd38ced75e68fa2a6?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Dan Jacobson [January 21, 2020 at 12:43 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2444) “On the night before New Year’s Eve (February 23, 2020), and all day on New Year’s Eve (February 24, 2020)…” February? Don’t you mean January? [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2444) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 21, 2020 at 9:22 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2448) Yes, thank you for catching that typo Dan! Just fixed it. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-2448) 3. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f9c587ee9fa705749930a29108c0ba69a3c5d7c885e4ca6c330257079fcdcea1?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Ec [December 31, 2022 at 7:38 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9798) Thank you for such comprehensive and updated information! Very appreciate it\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9798) 4. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d4cc773f7217645ef75ad54557dd30aad3348f624ad2154f46c4e03e2f642267?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) A [January 19, 2023 at 7:11 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9987) Well thank you ! I planned a trip from 20th of january to the 25th, before realizing it ! So I hope this helps me find some activities to do 🙂 I will have to come back for the great street food apparently though \! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9987) 5. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/140b52b556fe1449f87813a84ed4e98f2d8781775509afe36bced3bf3b0a9ed1?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) JJ Chen [January 21, 2023 at 10:40 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9995) Hi Nick. A little correction, saturday is either 21 or 28, not 25. So which one is it ? If it was 21st, then sadly it’s passed already. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-9995) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 22, 2023 at 7:52 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-10005) The only place I see mentioning the 25th in this article is in a comment from 2020. The Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt always takes places on Lunar New Year Day, which this year (2023) was on Jan 22. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-10005) 6. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/758af61f4a7b6a8cab1185b578d9256744154847159a273e5a63fbd257a4103d?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Test Travel [August 21, 2023 at 4:33 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11468) Hi, Thank you for the comprehensive information\! Would you be able to do an advance blog for Chinese Lunar Year 2024? Thank you\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11468) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [August 23, 2023 at 1:56 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11487) I will try to update this in the next week, so please check back in a few weeks. And I will further update it in the weeks and months leading up to CNY, when there is more info available about specific dates of events. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11487) 7. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1f5c37a7911117be35ae5f073a3638312ee0cf807a6becad112e8e06e00714bb?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Angela Buhl [October 1, 2023 at 8:41 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11870) Thanks so much for all this wonderful information! We’ll be in Taiwan with our little daughter in 2024, also during Lunar New Year.. It says it’s from Feb 8th to 14th,however New Years Eve is on the 10th,right? So Feb 9th wouldn’t be a good day to travel from Taipei south? 10th or 11th would be less busy? Thanks so much and kind regards from Germany+Guatemala\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11870) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [October 3, 2023 at 10:23 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11898) Please note I haven’t updated this article with 2024 dates yet. In 2024, CND is Feb 10. So yes, Feb 8 and 9 will be the days when the highways to the south will be total traffic jams and all trains will be sold out. Feb 10 would be far less busy, because on that day, everybody will already be with their families and staying at home. 11th should be OK too, but CNY Day 2 is the day when they are supposed to go visit the wife’s family, which sometimes could be in a different city, so some locals will be out on the roads and trains again. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11898) 8. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/babbb9b6d9129b183cba27ec99ad6c470da375b063cda29e71e5c531984aa374?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Cynthia Heng [October 9, 2023 at 9:15 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11959) I am planning a trip from 9 – 13 feb to taipei. Is there any farm recommendation that we can visit? [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-11959) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [October 27, 2023 at 4:08 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12195) That will be during Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan in 2024, so it will be crazy crazy busy everywhere. But there are so many tourist farms in Taiwan, so it depends on which part of Taiwan, big or small one, you want to sleep there or not, etc. Some very popular ones include Toucheng Leisure Farm, Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm, Flying Cow Ranch, and Cingjing Farm. But it may be hard to get hotels at these, and it may take many extra hours to drive to them, during CNY. I suggest you try on Lunar New Year’s Eve and Lunar New Year Day, when most locals will be staying at home with their families. On Day 2 and later, those place will be totally packed. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12195) 9. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f6bfbd19889a7e78b963a43a79f2d7e2c2652101a966cd26ae45daa2138900d8?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Debbie Merced [November 17, 2023 at 3:42 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12344) Hi Nick. Looking forward for your 2024 CNY updates. We also planned a Taipei trip Feb 10-17 without realizing it’s CNY. ☹️ [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12344) 10. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/843cb034658192b5e27d321d024262a114248dea26462325b786697f4e6aef17?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Bean [November 20, 2023 at 7:33 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12361) This was a very informative blog thank you, i was thinking to visit Taipei from 11 Feb – 20 Feb 2024 but I’m very worried that everything will be closed or super packed :”) [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12361) 11. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dbb66a75481e3f4e6059e96b09b608e64340b1f3876e9fcf6212431fbc8419a4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Pallas [December 26, 2023 at 8:08 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12734) Very useful information indeed. Looking forward for your 2024 CNY updates! We plan to purchase the 3-day Free Pass via Klook but was wondering if that was a good option since New Year Day 3 would be on Monday (when most places close…) [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12734) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 8, 2024 at 3:03 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12856) The article is updated for 2024 now. The fact the most places close on Mondays is for normal business weeks. When a Monday is a holiday, like a 3-day long weekend, then everything will be open because they want the business. And for LNY, the Monday thing is irrelevant. Businesses will close if they feel like it, because they want to visit with their family at that time. Most business are closed on Day 1 and Day 2. But by Day 3, some of them will start reopening again if they are finished visiting with their families, regardless of whether it’s Monday or not. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12856) 12. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dbb66a75481e3f4e6059e96b09b608e64340b1f3876e9fcf6212431fbc8419a4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Pallas [December 28, 2023 at 5:57 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12768) Very useful information indeed. Looking forward to your guide for 2024, especially when New Year Day 2 is on a monday. I am worried that everything will be closed :(( [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12768) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 3, 2024 at 9:53 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12816) The tendency of local businesses to take a break on Mondays doesn’t really apply to holiday times. For example, when there’s a long weekend with Monday as a third day off, then most business stay open for the extra business on that day. And LNY is a totally different situation. People will take a day off the visit with their family, not because it happens to be a Monday. NYD2 is the day when families traditionally visit the Mother’s side. So many businesses will remain closed because they are doing that. But there will be a little more open than on NYE or NYD1. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12816) 13. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/48ae5b678de8730e9c3d4d6edc80e1bee0da25280e1b8d9443db0ed4611fa9b4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Deb [January 13, 2024 at 12:55 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12925) Are the night markets closed Feb 11-14, 2024? [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12925) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 16, 2024 at 1:37 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12964) Night markets in Taipei are open every day of the year. However, each vendor can take a break whenever they want. So many vendors will take a break especially on Feb 9 and 10 (NYE and NYD). From Feb 11 onwards, more and more of them will open. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-12964) 14. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2fbfe3bc0dff7806796f4c1dfe934d8caaf16ea2bb8be61a77bfde7eaf2c69e4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Via [January 24, 2024 at 11:03 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13055) Hi Nick, I have flight from TPE during CNY morning. Would it be hassle if go and stay in taoyuan area the night before or it’s better to stay in Taipei & go to airport directly? And is it recommended to use airport bus service? [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13055) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 30, 2024 at 11:56 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13129) The answer depends how early your flight is. First Airport MRT from Taipei to Taoyuan departs at 6 AM and arrives at the airport at 6:36, so this is good enough if your flight is 8:30 or later. For earlier flights, take a private vehicle or taxi to the airport. There’s also a 24-hour airport bus from Kuo Kuang Bus Station. Staying in Taoyuan will only save you a little time, maybe 20 min faster than going from Taipei. See this guide for more details, links to bus schedules, etc <https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taoyuan-airport-to-taipei/> [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13129) 15. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fce07ebb85cca769e98d8f927e4a2a42df0e6ba05b337b364fdd6dfe8b350eee?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Alyi [January 25, 2024 at 10:27 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13077) Thanks for such amazing info. I have two toddlers and your site is always the first i check when planning anything or to get ideas! (Living in TW for one year now) [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13077) 16. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f9590423c5ef6251140cf0503796a1f6cea582b5963cc12626b7fd61d9351dc9?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Karen Chua [January 31, 2024 at 1:58 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13137) Hi Nick, I am 1st time self travel to taipei n need yout advise. 1. planning to visit ZOO on 12/02/2024. Will the place crowded include the cable car 2 ？ 2.How i travel from Taipei 101 to Raohe Night market ？tks [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13137) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [February 2, 2024 at 1:25 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13156) I think it will be pretty normal crowds or maybe even quieter than usual. Many families will still be outside Taipei traveling or visiting their relatives. But for those families who do stay in Taipei, maybe some will go to the zoo or gondola. I don’t think it’s anything to worry. about. You can use GoogleMaps to find the best route between places. There are some direct bus options. If you take the MRT, that will be slower because you’ll have to transfer 2 times (red line to brown line, brown line to green line). A taxi would not cost much. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-13156) 17. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/43ddd12d509a751d773d4f42b92492b9c8cb2748f59bd0e46635295eea8e26ce?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Gabi [November 13, 2024 at 1:31 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-17417) Hey Nick ! Thanks for the guide, it’s gona be my first time in Taiwan from 30/1 to 6/2 (it is what it is) I have planned to arrive and go directly to wulai from the airport for 1 night at a spa hotel, and am considering if i should go from there to Jiufen for 1 night, and then taipei, or directly to taipei. Dyu reckon it will be packed ? thanks – Gabi [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-17417) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [November 13, 2024 at 8:40 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-17437) So it seems you would be visiting Wulai on Day 2 of the Lunar New Year. The hotels (and their spas) should be open, but as for Wulai Old Street, you may find that it is extremely quiet. Most of the food stalls and small restaurants could be closed. If you’re lucky hopefully at least a few will still open. Then you’re thinking of going to Jiufen on Day 3. I think it should be fine. It will probably be normal busy (which for Jiufen means quite busy), but it won’t be anything much crazier than normal. Day 3 is when local families start traveling around Taiwan. However, Jiufen is not such a popular place for local families. It’s mainly foreign tourists who go there. And it won’t be such a crazy day to take the bus or train out of Taipei, as most people already left Taipei days before that (to go to their relatives houses). So if you want to see Jiufen, I would just go for it. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-17437) 18. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7259b8fb68aba1b41490045664a785ddb322dfced968480e00973ae6de90ac46?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Jeffrey [December 23, 2024 at 10:24 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18206) This is a really good post Nick. Like, fantastic. I booked my flight and accommodation before knowing about everything shutting down. But, I’m riding it out. If you all host foreigners for the CYE, let me know. Would love the cultural immersion. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18206) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [December 24, 2024 at 10:22 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18227) Glad to hear! I’m actually not living there right now. But hope you enjoy your trip\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18227) 19. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7259b8fb68aba1b41490045664a785ddb322dfced968480e00973ae6de90ac46?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Jeffrey [December 23, 2024 at 10:25 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18207) CNY\* [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-18207) 20. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/60d097bbff7fe4aec8809e37869516b6afd6c75492f2bc1040cec560631a6f85?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Luke [December 3, 2025 at 12:31 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20769) Hey Nick! Thanks for all the wonderful information. I am planning on arriving in Taipei on Tuesday, February 17 th LNY, and then leaving Tuesday Feb 24th. I was hoping to mess around in Taipei on Feb 17, then I was hoping to plan many day trips out of taipei, to Beitou on Feb 18, to Kee Lung and various caves and places on Feb 19 (and possibly staying there), then to Jiufen and the Cat Village on Feb 20, and then returning to Taipei to stay but continuing with various day trips to the surrounding areas. Will these attractions be incredibly crowded, and do will the transit system between cities be a nightmare for those kinds of attractions? My flights were surprisingly cheap (sub \$650 round trip from the West Coast USA) so I jumped on them before thinking this through all the way. Thanks\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20769) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [December 4, 2025 at 12:04 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20776) Your plan sounds great! Keeping in mind the LNY schedule, most locals will be staying at home with their families on your arrival date. The city will be very quiet, but still many things to explore. The places you mention are all easy day trips, even on busy days, with no train or HSR bookings needed, so you’ll be fine. It’s tough to say just how crowded they will be with so many factors at play. Many travelers avoid Taiwan at LNY, so typical places with foreign tourist crowds (like Jiufen) may not actually be so bad. And many Taipei people are down south or traveling around the country. But for those who actually stayed in Taipei, maybe some will do day trips on those days. I think it will all balance out and be moderately busy, but nothing crazy. I wish I could find flights that cheap. We paid more than double that price for our next (summer) trip to Taiwan\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20776) 21. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3e3cd8539843da3602c11759e95045f0a5ddc0b51ce56b7b1999dd65b9d85199?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Doris [January 6, 2026 at 10:00 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20935) Hi Nick, Thank you for your article! definitely a big help with our Taiwan trip planning. We’re arriving in Taiwan on 8th Feb until 15th Feb, and we will be in Taipei from Saturday 14th Feb. Do you think restaurants and shops would be open that weekend as it is when their national holiday starts? Also as we are leaving on the 15th Feb would it be better to book HSR to avoid the rush or can we just purchase the ticket on the day? Alternatively would booking a private car be a better option? We are travelling with a toddler so I’m just wondering what would be the less stressful option. Thank you\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20935) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 13, 2026 at 4:11 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20993) Most things will still be open on the 14th and 15th so you don’t need to worry too much about it. It may be a little quieter than usual, but you’ll still be fine The 16th and 17th will be the very dead days. For leaving, if you are going to Taoyuan Airport, you don’t need to take the HSR. You can take the Airport MRT, which will be running as normal. A private transfer works too, depending on your preference and budget! The Airport MRT could actually be faster though, especially if there’s a lot of traffic leaving the city on that day. It only takes 35 to 50 minutes, while driving takes 1 hour (on normal days) or maybe even longer on that day. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-20993) 22. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/28253dc59c739700164bc6ab2853c89fac4b52244093a4b9efa72dcd418b4c16?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Imane [January 14, 2026 at 12:27 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21002) Hello \! Is Tainan more lively and open during the first days of Lunar New Year compared to Taipei? I’m mainly wondering about food, temples and general atmosphere. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21002) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [January 14, 2026 at 4:09 pm](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21004) It will be similar to Taipei in that almost every restaurant and shop will be closed, and just very quiet overall. And also similar in that temples will be open and possibly a little busy, and Tainan does have lots of them. You may be lucky and catch some kind of dragon dancing performance at one of them, but I’m not aware of any set times for any. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21004) 23. ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/90f37d5280917051eec8ff9e9005fb5210648ba652d97caee3a298f54d551cc4?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Ido Shimshi [February 6, 2026 at 3:24 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21120) Hey nick, thank you for this, so much usefull information\! My partner and I are going to be in Taiwan between the 18th-27th and we would like to to spend 3-4 days in taipei, take a car to travel around some more rural and nature areas and maybe visit some of the islands (heard great things about Liuqiu). Would love your recommendation on the order of these given the CNY. Would staying in Taipei for the first days then leaving be a good idea? So there will still be some things open during the main closure times? Or would you recommend getting out right away, possibly dodging the main traffic times and coming back to Taipei after things open up? Thank you for any input on the matter, really appreciate this\! [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21120) - ![](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAADIAAAAyAQAAAAA2RLUcAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAOSURBVBjTY2AYBYMJAAABkAABxZvbSQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ae2e206964f87eaca56ace420970b26197eedb35c30a43bccf414dcc2075995?s=50&d=monsterid&r=g) Nick [February 9, 2026 at 10:17 am](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21130) If this were me, I would probably spend the first 3-4 days in Taipei. You will be arriving on Day 2 of the holiday, so it will still be quiet, but many things will already be starting to open again. Then maybe you can consider something like renting a car and spending 2-3 days driving down the east coast (Yilan, Taroko Gorge, Hualien, Taitung), and finish your car rental at Zuoying HSR station in Kaohsiung. Then take the bus from Zuoying to Donggang for catching the ferry to Xiaoliuqiu, then back to Zuoying and ride the HSR to Taoyuan and transfer to the Airport MRT for going to the airport. If you don’t mind to rush a little, you could add 1 or two more stops after Xiaoliuqiu, like Kaohsiung city, Tainan city, or Alishan, but you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly to fit any of those in. [Reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#comment-21130) ### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#respond) ![Nick Kembel bio pic](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAATsAAAGkAQAAAABml7/8AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAoSURBVHja7cEBDQAAAMKg909tDjegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAODbAENEAAGojH+PAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Nick Kembel bio pic](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bio-e1560942771187.jpg?strip=all) Hey, I’m Nick\! This website is my full-time passion project. I’ve always been drawn to the religious centers and spiritual sights of the world. After years of backpacking, I now call two places home: Edmonton, Canada and Taipei, Taiwan. When I’m not writing or compulsively planning every detail of our next family trip, I’m most likely playing kitty games with Sage and Lavender, my two kids. 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Readable Markdown	Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are [living in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/living-in-taiwan/) and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip. Some people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the [best time to visit Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taiwan/). Moreover, despite being called the “Spring Festival”, it actually takes places in the middle of [winter in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter/), a time that can be cold and damp, especially in Taipei and northern Taiwan. Lunar New Year is the most important of [Taiwan’s holidays](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/festivals-in-taiwan/) and the longest break most people have from school and work. But the festival doesn’t offer much for visitors to enjoy, unlike some other countries in East Asia where the holiday is celebrated with parades and other events. Even cities in Western countries have more activities on Chinese New Year than Taiwan does. What’s more interesting for visitors is the [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan/), which comes on the 15th day of the lunar year. Taipei and other major cities in Taiwan can feel like ghost towns during Chinese New Year (see my newer article explaining [what’s open and closed in Taipei during LNY](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/)). Public transportation still runs on holiday hours, but almost all shops, restaurants, and food stalls close. Moreover, the country’s highways, hotels, and attractions become overrun with domestic tourists on certain days of the holiday (I’ll explain which ones below). Getting train tickets or driving anywhere can be a nightmare. However, things are changing. More and more of Taipei’s attractions are remaining open through most of the holiday, often only closing for one day. It’s still feasible to plan a trip around Taiwan and avoid the worst of the crowds using the tips I’ll provide in this article. On the plus side, the weather during Chinese New Year is perfect for visiting [these amazing hot springs](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-hot-springs/), and depending on the dates, you may be able to catch some [cherry blossoms in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/)! Therefore, Chinese New Year isn’t necessarily the worst [time to visit Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-time-to-visit-taipei/). See here for more [general travel information about Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-travel-guide/) and join my free [Taiwan Travel Planning group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaiwanTravelPlanning/). Also read: - [Visiting Taiwan during January](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-january/) - [Visiting Taiwan during February](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-february/) - [Visiting Taiwan during March](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-march/) - [Visiting Taiwan during April](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-april/) - [Visiting Taiwan during May](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-may/) - [Visiting Taiwan during June](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-june/) - [Visiting Taiwan during July](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-july/) - [Visiting Taiwan during August](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-august/) - [Visiting Taiwan during September](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-september/) - [Visiting Taiwan during October](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-october/) - [Visiting Taiwan during November](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-november/) - [Visiting Taiwan during December](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-december/) In this article, I’m going to cover all the special activities coming before, during, and after Chinese New Year in Taiwan, including the various Lantern Festivals taking place around New Year. I’ll also discuss things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei and other cities, how to plan a trip to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, and exactly which days you should avoid traveling during the holiday. If you’re in the middle of planning your trip to Taiwan, see my recommended [Taipei itinerary](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-itinerary-4-days/), [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/), [Taiwan itinerary](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-itinerary-1-2-3-weeks/), and [where to stay in Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/where-to-stay-in-taipei/). Table of Contents - [When is Chinese New Year in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#When_is_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [“Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year”](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#%E2%80%9CChinese_New_Year%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CLunar_New_Year%E2%80%9D) - [How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#How_Many_Days_Do_People_Have_Off_for_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [What Do Locals Do During the Holiday?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_Do_Locals_Do_During_the_Holiday) - [How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#How_Long_is_the_Chinese_New_Year_Holiday_for_Students_in_Taiwan) - [How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Hows_the_Weather_During_New_Year_in_Taipei) - [How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Hows_the_Chinese_New_Year_weather_in_the_rest_of_Taiwan) - [Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Can_I_See_Snow_in_Taiwan_during_Lunar_New_Year) - [What about Cherry Blossoms?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_about_Cherry_Blossoms) - [Strawberry Season in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Strawberry_Season_in_Taiwan) - [Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Flying_to_or_from_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Special_Activities_Leading_Up_to_Lunar_New_Year_in_Taipei) - [Dihua Street before Lunar New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Dihua_Street_before_Lunar_New_Year) - [Nanmen Market, Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Nanmen_Market_Taipei) - [Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Lunar_New_Year_Markets_in_Other_Cities_in_Taiwan) - [What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_is_Taipei_like_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year?](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#What_is_it_like_traveling_around_during_Lunar_New_Year) - [Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Things_to_Do_in_Taipei_During_Chinese_New_Year) - [Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Dragon_and_Lion_Dancing_at_Grand_Hyatt_Others) - [Taipei 101 Observatory](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_101_Observatory) - [Elephant Mountain](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Elephant_Mountain) - [Taipei Zoo](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_Zoo) - [Maokong Gondola](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Maokong_Gondola) - [National Palace Museum](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#National_Palace_Museum) - [Taipei Children’s Amusement Park](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taipei_Childrens_Amusement_Park) - [Beitou Hot Springs](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Beitou_Hot_Springs) - [Visiting Temples](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Visiting_Temples) - [Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Department_Stores_Convenience_Stores_and_Restaurants) - [If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#If_You_Do_Have_to_Travel_During_Chinese_New_Year_in_Taiwan) - [Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Cool_Festivals_After_Lunar_New_Year) - [Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Foguangshan_New_Year_Festival_of_Light_Peace) - [Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Taiwan_Lantern_Festival) - [Lantern Festivals in other Cities](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Lantern_Festivals_in_other_Cities) - [Pingxi Lantern Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Pingxi_Lantern_Festival) - [Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Yanshui_Beehive_Fireworks_Festival) - [Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Bombing_Master_Handan_and_Bombing_the_Dragon_Festivals) - [Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Final_Thoughts_How_to_Plan_a_Chinese_New_Year_Trip_in_Taiwan) - [Related Posts](https://www.nickkembel.com/chinese-new-year-in-taiwan/#Related_Posts) Since the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of Lunar New Year vary by year. Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon that appears anytime between January 21 and February 20. The 2026 date for Chinese New Year in Taiwan is Tuesday, February 17. The national holiday will be from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22. This year’s dates are interesting, because compared to other years, locals will have several days off before the actual LNY date. This is a good thing for travelers – it means there will be less of a crazy rush to leave the city, as it will be spread out over several days. Some years, people only have one or two days to leave the city, so all roads and public transportation are crazy packed. In my newer guide to [Lunar New Year in Taipei](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/), I describe exactly what every day of the holiday will be like. You may also want to consider getting a [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=630235&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F76302-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-pick-up-taipei%2F). See my full [review of the pass](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-fun-pass/). ## “Chinese New Year” vs “Lunar New Year” When speaking English, most people in Taiwan (including locals and foreign residents) refer to the holiday as “Chinese New Year.” However, some people, mainly in the foreigner community, prefer the more inclusive “Lunar New Year,” because many countries and nationalities celebrate this holiday, not just Chinese-speaking ones. It’s also a way of moving away from calling things in Taiwan “Chinese” and recognizing that Taiwan is a country and culture of its own. However, even “Lunar New Year” could be problematic, as one Muslim member of my Facebook group pointed out that it could be confused with Islamic Lunar New Year, which is totally different. Essentially, it’s impossible to please everyone. In Mandarin, the holiday is called Spring Festival (chun jie/春節) or guo nian (過年). I use all these terms in this article. I use “Chinese New Year” not as a political statement but simply because that is what most people in Taiwan, including my friends, colleagues, and my Taiwanese family members always say. Anytime around the holiday, you can say Happy New Year (xin nian kuai le/新年快樂) or Wishing You Prosperity (gong xi fa cai/恭喜發財) to locals and they will love it\! ## How Many Days Do People Have Off for Lunar New Year in Taiwan? ![Me having a Lunar New Year's Eve meal in Taiwan with my Taiwanese relatives](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lunar-new-year-taiwan-meal.jpg?strip=all) That’s me enjoying Lunar New Year food and drinks with my wife’s relatives, most of whom only speak [the Taiwanese language](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-languages/), in a small town in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan? Traditionally, in the past, Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Day, and the following four days were national holidays in Taiwan. In other words, people technically only had 6 national holiday days. However, the holiday is longer some years if it matches up nicely with weekends. In 2026, exactly that will happen. Lunar New Year’s Even is a Monday, so most people will actually be off from Saturday because that’s just a normal weekend. Then, at the end of it, they will also get a weekend. This will result in a lovely 9 days off (Saturday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 22), which is longer than some years. ### What Do Locals Do During the Holiday? ![A traffic jam on the highway](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/lunar-new-year-traffic-jam-taiwan-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Traffic jams as the masses head south So what do people in Taiwan do during Chinese New Year? Just about everyone gathers with their extended paternal (father’s side) family on Lunar New Year’s Eve (chu xi or 除夕) for a large meal, similar to Christmas Eve dinner in the west. They usually gather in their hometown or parents’/grandparents’ home, which is often located in the countryside or south of Taiwan. Thus, Taiwanese people often call this annual migration “going down” (下去). This means there’s a huge rush of people driving out of the major cities, and especially driving south, on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the initial weekend off this year, the rush of people will be spread over several days. To beat the traffic jams and daytime highway tolls, some people try driving south in the middle of the night. By dinner time of Lunar New Year’s Eve, pretty much everyone has already reached their hometowns and are staying in having dinner (usually foods that have auspicious sounding names), drinking, and *playing mahjong*. ![A hand grabbing a tile on mahjong board in Taiwan during chinese new year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mahjong-taiwan.jpg?strip=all) I quite enjoy playing mahjong with my Taiwanese family during Chinese New Year On New Year’s Day** (chu yi or 初一), they keep doing the above all day long. They may also visit with neighbors or pop in to their local temple to pray for a prosperous year. Children play together outside, and receive red envelopes (紅包 or hong bao) filled with money from elderly relatives. Because most of the country is at home, it can actually be a great day to travel. On Day 2 of the lunar new year (chu er or 初二), families hit the road again to visit their maternal relatives (the mother or wife’s extended family), a day called hui niang jia (回娘家). This of course comes with more eating, drinking, mahjong, and hong bao. If the father and mother have different hometowns, this day often requires driving for several hours, so the roads get busy again, though not nearly as bad as the days before CNY. ![A stack of half a dozen Chinese red envelopes or "hong bao"](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/red-envelope-hong-bao-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Red envelopes or “hong bao” From Day 3 until the end of the holiday, families usually start getting bored sitting around with relatives. So this is when they start traveling around the island en masses. From Day 3 to the end of the holiday, highways are crazy busy again. The government even closes some access ramps and imposes a minimum of 3 passengers per vehicle on certain highways at certain times. Attractions also get crazy busy and virtually all hotels in the country sell out weeks in advance. I’ve spent over a dozen Spring Festivals in Taiwan. Before I was married, I often used the time off to travel outside of Taiwan. But heads up – flight prices often go up at this time. If you can manage to fly out even just a few days before everyone else is off, it can make a difference of hundreds of dollars. If I didn’t go abroad, I usually didn’t even bother trying to leave Taipei. I would just stay in the city and use the time to hang out with friends, go hiking, or do day trips to hot springs. But since getting married and getting to know my wife’s family, I must say that I love Chinese New Year for the comfortable feeling of gathering with family to stuff myself with delicious homemade food and (to be completely honest) drink ridiculous amounts of beer with my in-laws. ![A bottle of 58% Kaohliang, a popular liquor in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kaohliang-taiwan.jpg?strip=all) Be careful with this stuff\! The one thing I’ve learned, though: *don’t say yes to the kaoliang* (a distilled sorghum liquor that is usually 58 percent alcohol…) I did once, got drunker than I’ve ever been in my life, including several hours of blacking out. Never again! But if you’re willing to, the relatives will adore you for it. Drinking in such a family setting is a highly competitive affair, and they love nothing more than trying to push a foreigner to his/her limits. If you are ever lucky enough to get invited to a local family gathering, chances are you will find out what I’m talking about (though not every local family is like this). ### How Long is the Chinese New Year Holiday for Students in Taiwan? Most students in Taiwan get 2-3 weeks off for lunar new year, while university students get a whole month. This doesn’t have a major impact on planning your trip to Taiwan, since most parents only get that one week off, and that’s when they do their family trips around the country. But you might find a slight uptick in crowds at places that young taiwanese like to visit, such as night markets, [Jiufen Old Street](https://www.nickkembel.com/jiufen-old-street-taiwan/), and so on. ## How’s the Weather During New Year in Taipei? ![Normal weather during Chinese New Year in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taipei-during-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all) Typical overcast weather in January and February in Taiwan I’m sorry to break it to you, but the weather during Lunar New Year in Taipei, that is late January to mid February, tends to be pretty awful. [January](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-january/) is the coldest month of the year (average 13.9°C) and [February](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-in-february/) is the second coldest (average 14.4°C). The lowest it ever gets is around 6-10°C. That may not seem that cold, but factor in the high humidity, gray skies, and drizzly rain for 14 days per month (on average), and it results in an icky, cold-to-the-bone feeling. On the plus side, it’s still not THAT cold (depending on where you come from – I’m from a cold city in Canada, where it usually drops down to -30 or even -40°C during winter). But a notable difference is that most places in Taiwan don’t have indoor heating, so it can feel quite chilly when you’re just sitting around at home or in your hotel. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, it can be surprisingly warm (thank you global warming?) The weather is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do in Taipei, except you probably won’t be visiting one of [Northern Taiwan’s beaches](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-taipei-beaches/). The best part is that it’s perfect weather for hot springs ([see my favorite ones](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-hot-springs/)). ### How’s the Chinese New Year weather in the rest of Taiwan? ![An aerial view of Secret Beach on the coast of Xiaoliuqiu](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/secret-beach-xiaoliuqiu.jpg?strip=all) You can still hit the beach in Xiaoliuqiu The weather in [New Taipei City](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/new-taipei-city-guide/), Taoyuan, and [Hualien](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-hualien-taiwan/)/[Taroko Gorge](https://www.nickkembel.com/taroko-gorge-taiwan/) are going to be pretty much the same as Taipei. But, generally speaking, the further south you go, the warmer it gets, and the less it tends to rain or be overcast. [Taichung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-taichung/) and [Miaoli](https://www.nickkembel.com/miaoli-taiwan/) are usually slightly warmer and have less rain than the capital. [Tainan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan/), [Kaohsiung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-kaohsiung/), [Taitung](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-taitung/), [Pingtung](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/pingtung-taiwan/), and [Kenting](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/kenting-national-park/) can be quite a bit warmer, with temperatures often 5-10 degrees warmer than in Taipei. That’s practically beach weather! In [Dulan, Taitung](https://www.nickkembel.com/dulan-taiwan-surfing-beach/), people even surf year-round, while over on [Xiaoliuqiu](https://www.nickkembel.com/xiaoliuqiu-lambai-island-taiwan/), they still go snorkeling with sea turtles at this time. One exception is the Central Mountain Range. Obviously, the higher you go up, the colder it gets. If you plan on visiting [Alishan](https://www.nickkembel.com/alishan-taiwan-sunrise/) or [Cingjing Farm](https://www.nickkembel.com/cingjing-farm-taiwan/), for example, you should bring a jacket even in summer. During Chinese New Year, it can be really freezing up there! It is possible (although not normal) to see snow up there as well. If you plan to stand around in the early morning waiting for the famous Alishan sunrise, then make sure you wear some very, very warm clothing\! As for [Sun Moon Lake](https://www.nickkembel.com/sun-moon-lake-taiwan/), it sits at an elevation of 748 meters, so you can expect temperatures similar to Taipei, but not as cold as higher places like Alishan or Cingjing Farm. You’ll want to avoid visiting offshore islands like [Orchid Island](https://www.nickkembel.com/orchid-island-lanyu-taiwan/) (which is mostly closed) and [Penghu](https://www.nickkembel.com/penghu-islands-taiwan/) (which gets crazy windy) in winter. ### Can I See Snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year? ![Snow Mountain, one of the places to see snow in Taiwan during Lunar New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/snow-mountain-taiwan-winter.jpg?strip=all) Me on the top of Snow Mountain in winter It’s possible, but not likely to see snow in Taiwan. If that’s your goal, then please read my guide to [where to see snow in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/snow-in-taiwan-in-winter/). It doesn’t normally snow around Taipei, but in early 2016, 2018, and again in 2021, snow fell in some parts of New Taipei City, such as on [Yangmingshan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-to-yangmingshan/), as well as [Taipingshan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipingshan/) in [Yilan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan/). When that happened, locals who had never seen snow before were super excited, driving up to see it and building little snowmen on their cars to drive back down to the city. This is definitely not the norm, though, and is unlikely to start happening on a regular basis, but who really knows? If you really want to see snow in Taiwan, you’ll have to drive up to [Hehuanshan (合歡山)](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hehuanshan-sunrise-hiking-snow/), which can be reached via a long, winding drive up Highway 8 from Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast (when the road is actually open – it’s often closed due to landslides), or from [Taichung/Puli/Cingjing on the west coast to the highest navigable pass in Taiwan, Wuling Pass (武嶺](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taichung-to-cingjing-farm/)). Many years ago, there was even a ski resort at Hehuanshan – you can stay in the old ski lodge, [Songsyue Lodge](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/songsyue-lodge-hehuanshan/). But note that these are difficult and potentially dangerous drives. If there’s snow on the ground around Hehuanshan, the highway becomes crowded with locals trying to see it, and only cars with chains on their tires may be allowed to proceed. You can organize a [day tour to Hehuanshan from Taichung here](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/12538-cingjing-farm-hehuan-mountain-one-day-tour-taichung/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Another way to see snow in winter in Taiwan is by doing some serious hiking, especially to the aptly-named Snow Mountain (Xueshan or 雪山, see photo above) or [Jade Mountain](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/yushan-jade-mountain-guide/) (玉山 or Yushan). ### What about Cherry Blossoms? ![Cyclist riding past cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in February in Taiwan](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/wuling-farm-cherry-blossoms.png?strip=all) Cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm in Taichung Whether you can see cherry blossoms or not during Lunar New Year depends on the timing of the holiday that year. Usually the first cherry blossoms in the country appear in only a few locations in mid- to late-January. February to mid-March is the best time overall. From late March to early April, the last of the cherry blossoms can be seen at some higher locations like [these spots in Alishan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/alishan-cherry-blossoms/). However, if any of the most famous spots have cherry blossoms during the Lunar New Year holiday, you can expect them to be absolutely packed with locals, except for those couple days when most people are at home (Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day 1, and Day 2). I have been recording the exact timing of the cherry blossoms across Taiwan for years so I can bring you the best [cherry blossom forecast](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/) every year. ### Strawberry Season in Taiwan ![Picking strawberries in Dahu Miaoli](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/strawberry-picking-dahu-miaoli.jpg?strip=all) Chinese New Year is at the peak of the strawberry season in Taiwan While Taiwan can seem pretty chilly during Lunar New Year, the weather is perfect for growing strawberries, especially in Neihu District of Taipei and Dahu, a small rural township in Miaoli County. Both areas have tons of U-Pick strawberry farms, and Dahu even has a whole tourist center related to strawberries and strawberry flavored foods (including beer, wine, sausages, and noodles!) Neihu is easy to get to from Taipei, but Dahu is a little more off the beaten track. If you plan to visit Dahu during Chinese New Year, you can expect crazy crowds and traffic, so try to carefully plan which day you visit. If you want to spend the night, nearby Tai’an Hot Spring has some great hotel spring hotels, but you’ll need to book early\! Find out everything you need to know in my guides to [strawberry farms in Dahu](https://www.nickkembel.com/dahu-strawberry-farm-taiwan/) and [Tai’an Hot Spring](https://www.nickkembel.com/taian-hot-spring-miaoli-taiwan/). ## Flying to or from Taipei During Chinese New Year ![Line of people in the baggage collection area of Taoyuan Airport during Covid](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/taoyuan-airport-baggage-area.jpg?strip=all) Lines at Taoyuan International Airport If you haven’t booked your flight yet, be aware that flights departing from Taipei around the beginning of the holiday (especially on the first day that people have off) and flying into Taipei around the end of the holiday can be quite expensive. For example, return flights to Japan that would normally cost a few hundred dollars return might go up to \$1000 return. The airlines know that this is the only days people can travel, so they jack the prices way up. It can make a big difference if you book really far in advance, and more importantly, if you have some flexibility in your travel dates. Sometimes, just adjusting by a day or two can change the fares by hundreds of dollars. Another tip is to check this [list of budget airlines flying to Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cheapest-flights-taiwan/). My parents have actually flown to Taiwan from Canada a couple times during Chinese New Year, and both times they got some of the cheapest fares I’ve ever seen, so it’s always worth checking and comparing prices. I recommend using [WayAway](https://tp.media/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) or [Kiwi](https://tp.media/click?shmarker=370149&promo_id=3673&source_type=link&type=click&campaign_id=111&trs=177447) to find cheap flights to Taipei. ## Special Activities Leading Up to Lunar New Year in Taipei In the same way that malls in Western countries get crazy busy leading up to Christmas, Taipei’s [traditional markets](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taiwan-markets/) get insanely packed in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. Rather than buying gifts, locals go to buy traditional decorations, treats, and ingredients for preparing New Year’s feasts. A few traditional markets in particular are associated with the Lunar New Year in Taipei City: ### Dihua Street before Lunar New Year ![Dihua Street at Chinese New Year in Taipei](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/dihua-street-chinese-new-year.jpg?strip=all) Dihua Street (迪化街) is thought to be the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to the Dutch period in Taiwan (1624–1661). It has been a center of trade for centuries, and today its shops continue to sell all manner of goods, from dried seafood and herbal medicines to teas and traditional delicacies. [Dihua Street is located in historic Dadaocheng](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/dihua-stree-dadaocheng/), just north of the Old City of Wanhua (Monga). It’s a fascinating place to visit anytime of year, but in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, locals flock to Dihua Street en masse to purchase goods for the holiday. The entire length of Dihua Street becomes clogged with people at this time, with the busiest days being the 2-3 weekends before Chinese New Year. At that time, shops set up additional displays out on the street, with samples and snacks galore. It’s a great place to get into the New Year spirit, if you can handle the crowds. Once the New Year holiday begins, however, the street will almost entirely clear out and almost all shops will be closed (see more on that below). ### Nanmen Market, Taipei ![Nanmen Market in Taipei at Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nanmen-market-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Giant CNY steamed buns at Nanmen Market A lesser-known (to visitors at least) traditional market that has come to be associated with Lunar New Year is Nanmen Market (南門市場) near [Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall/). This large traditional market is one of Taipei’s best, and in the weeks leading up to the New Year, it became another go-to place for Spring Festival goodies that will make any Taiwanese person drool. Following a major renovation, Nanmen Market has now reopened, so it’s more spacious than the original one. It still gets very busy at that time though\! ### Lunar New Year Markets in Other Cities in Taiwan ![A scooter driving through a narrow, covered market street called Sanfong Central Street](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sanfong-central-street-kaohsiung-1024x768.jpg?strip=all) Lunar New Year products at Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung In Taichung, you can find something similar to Dihua Street and Nanmen Market at [Jiguang Street](https://taichung.travel/en/attractions/intro/1343) (繼光街). In Tainan, [Xin Hua Old Street](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4417374) (新化老街) is the place to go. In Kaohsiung, try [Sanfong Central Street](https://www.travelking.com.tw/eng/tourguide/taiwanoldstreets/sanfong-chinese-new-year-market.html) (三鳳中街). ## What is Taipei like During Chinese New Year? ![Longshan Temple, Taipei](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/longshan-temple-taipei-city.jpg?strip=all) LNY decorations at Longshan Temple Everything is normal in the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, besides the masses of locals flocking to traditional markets to pick up supplies. You won’t see it, but most company workers are attending year-end parties hosted by their companies to reward staff for their hard work. For business-people, these often involve consumption of huge amounts of liquor. On New Year’s Eve and the day or two before it, people start vacating the city and driving “to the south” (meaning pretty much anywhere south of Taipei), mostly to villages in the countryside in central and southern Taiwan. This is when all highways out of the city become totally clogged, and train seats are virtually impossible to reserve. On New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Day 2 of the New Year, Taipei City and other major cities in the country will feel like ghost towns. The streets will be practically empty and eerily quiet. Around Day 3 and Day 4, things start gradually reopening, and by Day 5 and 6, they should be almost back to normal again. I go into much more detail about this, including the specific dates everything will open or close, the best days to travel, and so on, in my guide to [visiting Taipei during Lunar New Year](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/). ## What is it like traveling around during Lunar New Year? ![Taiwanese people eating Fenqihu lunchboxes on the train tracks at Fenqihu station](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fenqihu-train-station-alishan.jpg?strip=all) Locals eating lunchboxes in Fenqihu It is important to consider local people’s New Year holiday schedule when planning your trip around Taiwan during Lunar New Year. Generally speaking, half the country will be on the road in the couple days leading up to Lunar New Year’s Day. Highways will become clogged with traffic. All trains and buses that can be booked will be sold out weeks in advance. In other words, it’s not a good time to travel. It’s the same story on the High Speed Rail (HSR), though it’s worth noting that you can always buy a non-reserved ticket at the last minute and squeeze into cars 10-12, if you have to travel on those days. It might take a while to get on a train, but we’ve done it! Find out how to do this is [my guide to booking HSR tickets in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/high-speed-rail-booking/). By dinnertime on New Year’s Eve, almost everyone is already with their families and staying at home. As a result, the evening of New Year’s Eve is actually not a bad time to travel. New Year’s Day is actually an excellent day to travel, as everyone will be nursing their NYE hangovers, and doing it all over again on NYD. Very few local people will on the highway, visiting attractions, or staying in hotels. On Day 2 of the New Year, many people hit the road again*, because it’s the day to gather with the wife’s side of the family (called hui niang jia* or 回娘家), which may be in a different city or county. It’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve though, and attractions around the country should still be crowd-free. From day 3 to the end of the holiday, local families get bored of staying at home and start traveling around the island. These are the days when highways get super busy again, highway tolls and 3-passenger minimum rules are enforced on some sections of highway, trains are full, and especially hotels and attractions around the country are filled to the max. If you are traveling around Taiwan on these days, you may have to book your hotel room far in advance, and the prices may be much higher than usual. If you want to go to a popular place like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Taroko Gorge, you may find that everything is sold out. A safer choice is to plan to be in one of the bigger cities at this time, for example Taipei, Taichung, [Tainan](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan/), or Kaohsiung, where there are loads of hotel choices, and most locals leave these cities (not come to them) at this time. ## Things to Do in Taipei During Chinese New Year Compared to other major cities around the world where Lunar New Year is celebrated, Taipei is surprisingly boring during the holiday. There’s no organized fireworks display (you will hear fireworks and firecrackers randomly going off all the time, especially if you get further away from the city). There’s no public parade, and you won’t see dragon or lion dancing in the streets like I’ve seen in other major cities such as Hong Kong. Most cities in North America and other Western countries even have more activities than Taiwan does\! The most reliable lion dance performances every year [Grand Hyatt Taipei](https://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/grand-hyatt-taipei-taipei50.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=taipei-chinese-new-year) near Taipei 101, but there are a few others. I’m now going to give you a list of other ideas for things to do during Chinese New Year in Taipei. As you’ll see below, some of Taipei’s most famous tourist attractions actually stay open for almost the entire holiday. Many close or have reduced hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve only. ### Dragon and Lion Dancing at Grand Hyatt & Others ![Lion Dance at Grand Hyatt Taipei, one of the best things to do in Taipei during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/grand-hyatt-taipei-lion-dance.jpg?strip=all) One special activity that you simply can’t miss during Lunar New Year in Taipei is the Dragon and Lion Dance Performance held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Taipei 101. The event almost always takes place of New Year’s Day and usually starts at exactly 11:00 AM in front of the main entrance of the hotel. The event using kicks off with an explosion of firecrackers, wild drumming, and dragon dancing outside (especially fun for kids, who get to touch the dragon). Next, the performance quickly moves inside to the lobby, where an impressive lion dance takes place and crowds fill up several floors of vantage points. At the end, the lions go around tossing candies to children and people get a chance to pose with the lions for photos. It’s really a well-done performance, so kudos to the Grand Hyatt for putting on Taipei’s only public performance of this kind every year\! Also feel free to read about our [luxury camping experience with kids at the Grand Hyatt Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/grand-hyatt-muscat-review-with-kids/), especially if you are visiting [Taipei with children](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-with-kids/)\! While you’re there, also consider enjoying a meal at [the hotel’s excellent buffet restaurant.](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=626006&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F40122-caf%25C3%25A9-in-grand-hyatt-taipei-at-taipei-101-world-trade-center-station%2F) We loved it\! There are a few other places with lion dances in Taipei and New Taipei City every year. Click here to read about [this year’s locations](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/chinese-new-year-taipei/#Watch_Lion_Dragon_Dancing). ### Taipei 101 Observatory ![Is Taipei 101 open during Chinese New Year? You bet\!](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-101-with-kids.jpg?strip=all) The Taipei 101 observatory is open throughout the Chinese New Year Holiday. On New Year’s Eve, the hours are usually reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15), while other days maintain the usual hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This varies a little by year, so it’s best to check before going. I have visited Taipei 101 during Chinese New Year, and the crowds were moderate but not too bad. Remember to [book your ticket online](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/1659-taipei-101-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452), and go for the fast track-entry option to beat the long lines. Taipei 101 Observatory is the most valuable item included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). Taipei 101 also has the special [Skyline 460](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=628443&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F23966-101-skyline-460-skip-the-line-ticket-taipei%2F) experience. Book this and you can stand on the literal roof of Taipei 101, 460 meters above the ground! Access to the regular observatory is included with your ticket. Find more info in my [guide to visiting Taipei 101](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/taipei-101/) and my [personal experience doing Skyline 460](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/skyline-460-taipei-101/). ### Elephant Mountain ![View of Taipei from Elephant Mountain, a great free thing to do in Taipei during Lunar New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taipei-elephant-mountain-view.jpg?strip=all) Hiking to Elephant Mountain beside Taipei 101 to enjoy postcard views of Taipei is a popular thing to do anytime of the year. Lunar New Year is probably one of the least crowded times to do this, and as always, it’s totally free! For all the route details and a map I made, see [my guide to Elephant Mountain](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/elephant-mountain-xiangshan-taipei/). Besides Elephant Mountain, there are several other [Taipei hikes with views of Taipei 101](https://www.nickkembel.com/hiking-in-taipei-best-hikes/). ### Taipei Zoo ![Is Taipei Zoo open during Chinese New Year? Yes, it is\!](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-zoo-panda.jpg?strip=all) Taipei Zoo is usually open every day of the year except for Chinese New Year Eve (still please double check before going all the way there). Moreover, since most local families are out of town, it should be less crowded than usual. The Taipei Zoo is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). ### Maokong Gondola ![Maokong gongola, which is closed on Chinese New Year Eve, but open other days of the Lunar New Year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/maokong-gondola-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Right beside the Taipei Zoo, the Maokong Gondola is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and runs regular, or close to regular hours on all the other days. Don’t forget to that Maokong Gondola is closed every Monday and sometimes randomly closes during poor weather. Find all the details in [my Maokong Gondola guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/maokong-gondola-taipei/). Check out this [Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo deal](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/16000-maokong-gondola-combo-ticket-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). The gondola is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). ### National Palace Museum ### ![Is the National Palace Museum open during Chinese New Year? Yes, but with reduced hours on Lunar New Year's Eve](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/national-palace-museum-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Like several of the above attractions, you can expect the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s most famous museum, to close its doors on Lunar New Year’s Eve. For the remaining days of the holiday, the museum usually adopts reduced holiday hours, usually closing around 4:30 p.m. (with the last ticket sold at 3:40 p.m.) It’s always best to double check in advance. Because it is one of the few major indoor attractions open, the National Palace Museum can be a little busy during the holiday. Keep in mind that the museum limits daily visitors. But this means you can also count on its gift shop for buying some souvenirs for your trip. See my guide to the [best traditional Taiwan souvenirs](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/souvenirs-taiwan/). You can save a little money if you [book your National Palace Museum ticket online](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-CA/activity/10136-national-palace-museum-ticket-package-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) before you go. The National Palace Museum is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass.](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) ### Taipei Children’s Amusement Park ![Taipei Children's amusement park is closed on Lunar New Year's Eve but open other days of the Chinese New Year holiday](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/taipei-childrens-amusement-park.jpg?strip=all) Just like Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is usually closed on New Year’s Eve and resumes normal hours on the other days. The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park is also included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F) (entrance fee only, rides cost extra). Some larger [theme parks in Taiwan](https://www.nickkembel.com/taiwan-theme-parks/), including [Leofoo Village theme park](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/leofoo-village-theme-park/) in [Hsinchu](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hsinchu-taiwan-guide/), are open every day of the year. ### Beitou Hot Springs ![Planning to visit Beitou Hot Spring during Chinese New Year? Most spas remain open, but some of the attractions are closed for a few days](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/beitou-thermal-valley.jpg?strip=all) One of the best things to do in Taiwan in winter is soaking in hot springs, and Beitou is the only MRT-accessible hot spring village in Taipei. Since most hot springs in Beitou are run by large hotels and resorts, these remain open any day of the year. See [my guide to Beitou](https://www.nickkembel.com/beitou-hot-spring/) for the best ones. However, several of the attractions at Beitou close on certain days during the New Year holiday. Many Beitou attractions are also closed every Monday. - Beitou Hot Spring Museum: usually closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first three days of the year. - Beitou Public Library: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, and the first few days of the year. - Beitou Geothermal Valley: usually closed New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and any Mondays. - Beitou Public Hot Spring: usually closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Other hot spring options outside of Taipei include [Tienlai Resort](https://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/tienlai.en.html?aid=1514886&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=taiwan-january) in Jinshan, [Wulai](https://www.nickkembel.com/wulai-hot-spring-taipei-taiwan/) south of the city and [Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village](https://www.nickkembel.com/jiaoxi-hot-spring-yilan-taiwan/) in [Yilan county](https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-yilan-taiwan/). See all the details in my guide to the [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/). Further afield, there’s also the super unique [mud hot spring at Guanziling](https://www.nickkembel.com/guanziling-hot-spring-tainan-taiwan/). All the hot springs in these locations are run by hotels, so they should be open every day of the year. ### Visiting Temples ![Tianyuan temple, where you can sometimes see cherry blossoms during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tian-yuan-temple-taipei.jpg?strip=all) Most temples never close to the public, even during Chinese New Year. In fact, one of the things that most Taiwanese people do on New Year’s Day is pay a visit to their local temple. [Longshan Temple](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/longshan-temple-taipei/) can be very lively at this time, making it a great time to visit. Depending on the dates, you may even be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some temples, such as Tianyuan Temple in [Tamsui](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/tamsui-old-street/) (image above). The first round of cherry blossoms there usually bloom in February, while a second round come in March (see more info about [when to see where blossoms in Taiwan](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/cherry-blossoms-taiwan/)). See this guide to my favorite [30 temples in Taipei and New Taipei City](https://www.nickkembel.com/best-taipei-temples-taiwan/) for all the information. ### Department Stores, Convenience Stores, and Restaurants ![The Miramar Ferris Wheel is even open during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/miramar-taipei-ferris-wheel.jpg?strip=all) While it may seem like every small business in Taipei is closed, most of the large department stores remain open during Chinese New Year. For example, SOGO usually has reduced hours on New Year’s Eve (around 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and then business as usual from New Year’s Day on. Even the [giant Ferris Wheel at Miramar Shopping Mall](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/17764-miramar-entertainment-park-ferris-wheel-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452) (pictured above) usually remains open until around 6 p.m. on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and is included on the [Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=550341&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F7936-taipei-unlimited-fun-pass-tpe-pick-up-taipei%2F). Not only do department stores stay open, but many of them offer sizeable discounts during the holiday, mainly to entice shoppers to spend their red envelope (hong bao or 紅包) money (cash they receive as CNY gifts from relatives). See my [Taipei shopping guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/shopping-in-taipei/) to the find the best department stores and shopping streets in the city. ![Taiwan 7-11 and FamilyMart. At least you can count on convenience stores in Taiwan staying open during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taiwan-7-eleven.jpg?strip=all) So where can you eat if all the restaurants in Taipei are closed during Chinese New Year? Well, if worse comes to worst, none of us will ever die (or run out of coffee & beer) because 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and all the convenience stores found on practically ever corner in Taipei NEVER CLOSE. Ever. In the country with the second-highest ratios of “Sevens” in the world (South Korea [now takes the top spot](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3397167)), there’s no shame in getting a meal or even hanging out with friends and having some drinks at your local convenience store. Most major grocery store chains, such as Wellcome and Carrefour, also remain open during the holiday, some with reduced hours, while Costco has gone against the grain and usually closes for New Year’s Day. In terms of restaurants in Taipei during Chinese New Year, most really do close for New Year’s Eve and the first 2-3 days of the New Year. If you look hard enough, though, you can still find a few open, including most fast food chains. You may also have better luck trying more international or foreign-run places. Just call first to find out, and don’t trust the hours posted on GoogleMaps, because they often aren’t updated by the restaurants. One year we had a great meal New Year’s Day meal at the American chain Gordon Biersch, which serves some of the best Western food in Taipei and house-made craft beer. Here are more popular attractions in and around Taipei with their closing dates: - [Shifen Waterfall](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=648885&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F76306-yehliu-jiufen-shifen-golden-waterfall-day-tour%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve - National Taiwan Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year - [Din Tai Feng Restaurant](https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=638839&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Factivity%2F18435-din-tai-fung-taipei%2F): usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - [Ximending](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-ximending-night-market/) Red House: usually closed on New Year’s Eve - Bopiliao Historical Block: usually closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the first few days of the year - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is still open - Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall: usually closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the square is till open ## If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan If you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, you’ll still survive\! You may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. What you have to do is buy them the minute they go on sale, which normally 28/29/30 days in advance for weekday/Saturday/Sunday trips. However, for long weekends and Lunar New Year, they usually release ALL the tickets for the whole holiday at once on a specified day. Good luck\! If you don’t manage to get a seat, keep in mind that you can always buy a standing ticket on regular trains in Taiwan, except for the express trains (Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, and Tze Chiang 3000). The train may be absolutely packed, but you can still usually squeeze on. ![Taiwan High Speed Rail with kids](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/taiwan-hsr-with-kids.jpg?strip=all) Riding the HSR with my kids A far better choice if you can afford it is to take the High Speed Rail. You can try reserving on the [official website](https://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/) or [here on Klook](https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/en-US/activity/816-thsr-one-way-ticket-taipei/?adid=90336&af_wid=3452). Booking early allows you to get the early-bird discount. Keep in mind that when you book your ticket on Klook, you still have to make a seat reservation online or in person AFTER you receive the voucher – so just buying a voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee a spot on your desired train. If you don’t get tickets, not to worry\! Cars 10-12 of every train are the non-reserved section, so you can show up at any time, even during Chinese New Year, buy a ticket, and get on. I’ve personally done this during Chinese New Year, and while it was pretty busy, we just had to wait in a line for a while, not making it onto the first train that came, then getting on the second one (even getting a seat!) They don’t get as packed as the regular trains. And if you have to take a bus or even drive? Well, just double your traveling time, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve done the drive from Taipei to Chiayi multiple times to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. We’ve even stayed in hotels on the busiest days – we just booked them several months in advance. ## Cool Festivals After Lunar New Year For foreign visitors, it’s actually better to be in Taiwan a few weeks after Lunar New Year to catch the awesome festivals around the island, not to mention a few more unusual festivals happening around the same time. Flights at this time should also be cheaper\! ### Foguangshan New Year Festival of Light & Peace ![Lanterns at Foguangshan at night](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/foguangshan-lanterns-night.jpg?strip=all) One incredible event that usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts for several weeks after it is the New Year Festival of Light and Peace at Foguangshan, the largest Buddhist temple in Taiwan. The temple is located in Kaohsiung City in Southern Taiwan. It features beautiful lights and lanterns throughout the enormous temple complex. There is also usually one night with a major fireworks display. The Fo Guang Shan New Year Festival of Light and Peace usually starts on New Year’s Day and lasts nearly a month. This year’s dates have not been announced yet, but you can [check for updates here](https://www.fgsbmc.org.tw/en/activity-main.aspx). Find more information about [visiting Foguangshan Temple here](https://www.nickkembel.com/fo-guang-shan-taiwan/). ### Taiwan Lantern Festival ![The main Taiwan Lantern Festival event, which takes place in a different city every year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/taiwan-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all) The Lantern Festival (yuan xiao jie or 元宵節) is an [ancient Chinese festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival) that takes place annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (March 3, 2026). People across Taiwan celebrate it by eating tang yuan (little gelatinous balls served in hot, sweet soup) and attending a variety of lantern events. aFind more info than I’ll provide below in my [guide to the Taiwan Lantern Festival](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/lantern-festival-pingxi-taipei-taiwan/). Every year, a different city in Taiwan hosts the National Lantern Festival event. These enormous events take place over multiple days and feature concerts, hundreds of lanterns and other bright decorations on display, and usually one enormous lantern featuring the zodiac animal of the New Year (see pic above). These events have become so big that they now usually take place at 2-3 different venues at the host city. Note that this event is NOT the same as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Release (see below for that). There are no sky lanterns at this one. In 2026, the National Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi from March 3 to 15. Because this will be the year of the horse (馬), you can expect the national event to include a ginormous (and probably very cute) horse lantern, plus all the regional lantern displays (see next section) should have lots of horses too. ### Lantern Festivals in other Cities ![Taipei Lantern Festival](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/lantern-festival-taiwan-1.jpg?strip=all) Every year, all major and many smaller cities and towns across the country host their own smaller lantern festivals. Most of these consist of a collection of gorgeous handmade lanterns in a park or other public space. Visit after dark! Many of the lanterns are huge, lit up, 3D art pieces, and some are made by children. It’s really a stunning thing to see, and my personal favorite part of the Lantern Festival. Here are the 2026 dates and locations of all the lantern festivals across Taiwan. For most cities, it starts 1 or 2 weeks before Lantern Festival and/or continues 1 or 2 weeks after it. - Taipei Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, there will be lantern displays in two locations in Taipei: Yuanshan Park ([here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/trZJbfKfzrRj8atK6)) and Ximending (along Zhonghua Road [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9rzxqXjmrMdWCcnCA) and Chengdu Road [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3qntbdNgwWT2PwSs6)). The displays will be open from February 26 to March 15 from 5 to 10 PM on weekdays and 2 to 10 PM on weekends and hoplidays. - New Taipei City Lantern Festival 2026: As usual, the Lantern Display for [New Taipei City](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/new-taipei-city-guide/) will be in New Metropolitan Park (新北大都會公園) in Sanchong district (access: Sanchong station on the Taipei MRT, [roughly here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xwNibgmZBZqWRvwD9)), from February 20 to March 8. Note that the Pingxi Sy Lantern Festival is also in New Taipei City but is a totally different location and event. - Taoyuan Lantern Festival 2026: This year, Taoyuan city’s lantern event will be at Hutoushan Park (虎頭山公園, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/k6SB6breZdYVpGqr5)) from February 25 to March 8. - Hsinchu Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, Hsinchu’s lantern event will last for 23 days, from February 14 to March 8 at several locations in the city, including East Gate (東門城), Moat area (護城河), and Hsinchu Park (新竹公園). The event mascot is Rody, a bouncing horse. See my [Hsinchu guide](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/hsinchu-taiwan-guide/ "A Travel Guide to Hsinchu, Taiwan’s Silicon Valley"). - Tainan Lantern Festival 2026: Tainan always has several smaller events or lanterns set up in many places, including: [Puji Temple Light Display](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdTwifo1SuY7oe3e6) (台南四聯境普濟殿, February 12 to March 7) in the city center, [Yuejing Harbor Lantern Show](https://www.facebook.com/yuejinlanternfestival/) in Yanshui district (台南市鹽水區月津港, February 7 to March 8), and [Huxingshan Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2r8he9c4PtNHMuQv8) (虎形山公園, Dec 25 to March 1) in Longqi district. Tainan also has the Yanshui Fireworks Festival (see below). - Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 2026: In 2026, Kaohsiung will host the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival and Winter Wonderland (高雄燈會／高雄冬日遊樂園) from February 7 to March 1 at the Love River Bay (愛河灣, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1A6DEssM1sPNMrC8)) and Piers (高雄港16–18號碼頭), including a giant floating Ultraman in the bay. [Pier 2 Art Center](https://www.nickkembel.com/pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung/) nearby usually has lit-up art installations, too. [Foguangshan Monastery](https://www.nickkembel.com/fo-guang-shan-taiwan/) in Kaohsiung will host the Festival of Lights and Peace, with various lanterns and decorations, from February 17 to March 18. [Qishan Old Street](https://www.taiwanobsessed.com/qishan-old-street-kaohsiung/) (about 1.5 hours from Kaohsiung city center by public transportation) also usually has some cute lanterns around this time. - Taitung Lantern Festival 2026: Taitung’s 2026 event is called the Taitung Lantern Blessing Carnival (臺東好神元宵祈福嘉年華) It will take place from February 26 to March 7 at Taitung Seaside Park (臺東海濱公園), with activities also at Taitung City Office Square (臺東市公所廣場). Taitung also has the Bombing of Master Dan event on the same night as the Lantern Festival. - Hualien Lantern Festival 2026: Hualien’s Lantern event will be called Hualien Pacific Ocean Lantern Festival (花蓮太平洋燈會) and will take place along Sunrise Boulevard (日出大道, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qkbSDa91M6Nby26H6)) near Dongdamen Night Market from February 7 to March 8. - Yilan Lantern Festival 2026: Yilan’s smaller Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival (宜蘭冬山舊河港燈節) will take place from January 17 to late February around Dongshan train station and the nearby Dongshan Old River Port (冬山河舊河道, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwULu3aLEgJ4B7yX9)). - Nantou Lantern Festival 2026: Not many visitors make it to Nantou city in Central Taiwan, but Nantou’s event will be at Nantou County Exhibition Center (南投縣會展中心, [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eS9ja8zEdy1JAKjx8)) from February 14 to March 8. ### Pingxi Lantern Festival ![Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pingxi-lantern-festival.jpg?strip=all) The Taiwan Lantern Festival you are most likely to hear or know about is the annual Sky Lantern Release at Pingxi, New Taipei City. This festival features mass releases of sky lanterns at timed intervals. Because it is so popular, it is usually spread out over two days around Lantern Festival (15th day of the 1st month on the lunar calendar). This year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will take place on two days: The first one will take place on Friday, February 27 (2026) at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station. Please note, this day will be a national holiday in Taiwan due to 228 day the next day. The second (and larger) one will take place on the actual Lantern Festival date, which was Tuesday, March 3 (2026) at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (十分天燈廣場) between Shifen train station and Shifen Waterfall. The events run all day, but the mass lantern releases are usually done every 15 minutes from around 7-9 PM. I went to my first and only Pingxi Lantern Festival over 15 years ago, in one of my first few years in Taiwan. Although I’m glad I went once, it was insanely crowded. On top of that, local environmental and hiking groups have spoken out about how these sky lanterns get stuck in trees and pollute Taiwan’s natural environment. You can actually release sky lanterns in the area on any day of the year, with the most popular spot being from the train tracks at Shifen station on the Pingxi railway line. See the details in my articles on the [best day trips from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/day-trips-from-taipei/) and [how to get to Shifen from Taipei](https://www.nickkembel.com/taipei-to-jiufen-to-shifen/). ### Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival ![Yanshui Beehive Festival, one of the craziest things to do in Taiwan during Chinese New Year](https://e5rxtr4t5ah.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/yanshui-beehive-rockets-festival.jpg?strip=all) On the same night as the Lantern Festival, a far wilder event takes place in the south of Taiwan, called the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮). Every year sleepy Yanshui district, a small town in Tainan City near the famous [Jingzijiao Salt Fields and Cigu Salt Mountain](https://www.nickkembel.com/qigu-salt-mountain-tainan-jingzijiao-wapan-salt-fields-taiwan/), lights up with one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. There, crowds of people get willingly shot by hundreds of thousands of bottle rockets, often causing serious injuries. The tradition began over 100 years ago as a way to ward off a cholera epidemic. My father and I attended the event a few years ago and survived, although my dad did catch fire once or twice. Read [my guide to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival](https://www.nickkembel.com/yanshui-beehive-fireworks-festival/) for all the details. After being off-limits for non-residents for the last few years due to COVID, the featival has been up and running again since 2024. The main event in 2026 should be in the evening of March 3. ### Bombing Master Handan and Bombing the Dragon Festivals A lesser known but equally crazy festival called Bombing of Master Handan (台東炸寒單) takes place around the same time in Taitung City. In this case, the crowds throw firecrackers at a half-naked volunteer on a platform. See this article to find out [why they do it](https://taiwangods.moi.gov.tw/html/landscape_EN/1_0011.aspx?i=92). Meanwhile, over in Miaoli, central Taiwan, a Hakka Festival called the [Miaoli Bombing of the Dragon](https://english.hakka.gov.tw/Content/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=42343&LanguageType=ENG) culminates with, you guessed it, throwing firecrackers at a dragon. ## Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Trip in Taiwan Perhaps you booked it before you realized it, or maybe you work here and its your only time off, just like everyone else. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to travel around Taiwan, but it’s not terrible if you plan it right. When booking your flights, remember that anything departing Taipei around the start of the holiday, or coming back around the end of it, could be significantly more expensive, but sometimes just changing your schedule by one or two days can make a huge difference. If you can, try to be in Taipei for the busiest days, where at least there’s still quite a bit to do, or plan some hiking or beach time in the south if you can. Avoid traveling out from Taipei on Chinese New Year Eve and the evening before it, and traveling back to Taipei on the last day of the holiday. For day 3 three of the New Year until the last day off, try to avoid visiting major tourist attractions around the island, and if you can’t avoid it, then remember to book your hotel room as far in advance as possible, or accept that you may not be able to get a room. Usually you can start booking hotels on booking sites about six months in advance. I hope this article has helped you figure out how to make the best of your Lunar New Year trip to Taiwan. Thanks for reading, and let me know how your trip goes or if I could add anything to make this article more helpful\!
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