Chinese New Year: why it's best not to visit China now, even in transit

Chinese New Year sounds like a traveller's dream: red lanterns, festivals, fireworks and vivid traditions. In practice it's one of the worst times to visit China — especially for ordinary tourism or a transit connection. It's the time of giant crowds: the holiday brings Chunyun, the largest human migration on earth, as hundreds of millions head home and back. The result — packed stations and airports, sold-out train and plane tickets, constant queues and delays. It's also expensive and inconvenient: hotels jump several times in price, budget options nearly vanish, even taxis and domestic flights cost more, and many cafes and shops simply close as staff leave. Tourist sites are mobbed by domestic travellers — the Great Wall, museums and parks turn into solid queues. Even transit is rough: huge security lines, overloaded terminals and frequent delays can turn a short layover into hours of stress. Better months are March–May and September–November: fewer people, lower prices, steadier transport. Chinese New Year is a stunning cultural event but a poor time to be a tourist — sometimes the best way to enjoy a festival is from afar.