Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
January
Běijīng shivers at the beginning of the year, with temperatures dipping down to -10°C or below. But there are far
fewer visitors in town, so this is a great time to see the Great Wall or the Forbidden City without the crowds.
Western New Year
With the Spring Festival as their New Year bash, the Chinese treat the Western New Year (
Yuándàn) on 1 January as an excuse just to party and have fun. But don't expect any fire-
works.
Spring Festival
As big as Christmas in the West, the family-oriented Spring Festival ( Chūn Jié) is the most
joyous celebration of the year. Fireworks illuminate the night sky and everyone is more re-
laxed and friendly. It usually falls sometime between late January and mid-February, de-
pending on the lunar calendar. In 2014 it starts on 31 January.
