Mainland China is a nightmare during the Chinese New Year holiday—I should know; I used to live there. Except my experience wasn’t nightmarish so much as it was…an endurance test. I may or may not write about that in the future.
Today, to be sure, I’m here to write about Chinese New Year in Taiwan. And the first thing I’m happy to report it that it isn’t nearby as crowded or miserable as how it is in China-proper, even if a good number of Chinese-speaking travelers from around the world do come here during this period.
The second piece of good news? Much of Taiwan experiences good (and pleasant or even warm) weather during Chinese New Year, so even if you do have to contend with crowds, you probably won’t feel freezing.
When is Chinese New Year in 2027? What About 2028 and 2029?
If you plan to attend the Taiwan spring festival in the coming years, know that it extends for 15 days after each of the official “Chinese New Year” dates provided below:
- Chinese New Year 2027: February 6
- Chinese New Year 2028: January 26
- Chinese New Year 2029: February 13
Where to Go During Chinese New Year in Taiwan
Taiwan’s lantern festival(s)
The most seasonally satisfying reason to visit Taiwan during Chinese New Year? The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, which takes place in Pingxi on Chinese New Year itself, and in Shifen 15 days later. Beyond these, there are lantern festivals which featured non-sky lanterns, with a national location that changes every year, plus a sizable installed in Taipei’s Wanhua district.
Kenting National Park (and vicinity)
A trip to the beach might not be on your bingo card for spending CNY in Taiwan. But if you head to Kenting National Park in Taiwan’s far south, or even to Xiaoliuqiu island just offshore, this may be in the cards for you. It isn’t guaranteed—winter can be cold, even in the tropics—but in my experience, sunny skies and a temperature above 25ºC is more common than not in far southern Taiwan, even in January or February.
Alishan
Want to see cherry blossoms is Taiwan? While never guaranteed (and even less so due to the shifting dates of the Chinese New Year), Alishan mountain (and specifically, the tea fields of Shizhao) is a great place to start. Even if you’re too early for sakura, winter is the best time of year to visit Alishan if you want to avoid the mountain’s infamous mist.
Taiwan’s East Coast
Want to hit the beach during the Taiwanese New Year, but don’t necessarily need to swim? A road trip along Taiwan’s East Coast is your best bet. While the northern reaches of the coast (i.e. Yilan county) will be wet and maybe cold during the holiday, things get warmer and dryer as you head southward to Hualien (whether or not you visit nearby Taroko Gorge) and especially all the way down in Taitung.
Taipei and/or Kaohsiung
Who says you have to reinvent the wheel on your Chinese New Year trip to Taiwan? One of the surest ways to guarantee satisfaction is to focus on the country’s two biggest cities, Taipei and Kaohsiung. In addition to the fact that large hotel supply in both cities with insulate you from holiday price gouging, most tourist attractions in either place are evergreen.
Should You Avoid Visiting Taiwan During Chinese New Year?
I won’t mince words: Chinese New Year is a big deal in Taiwan, with people from all over the Chinese-speaking world flocking to Taiwan, not to mention many Taiwanese people (at least those who don’t travel abroad) traveling domestically. The movement can be especially hectic just before after whatever day Chinese New Year itself falls on. With this being said, the scale of migration here simply isn’t on the same level as what you see on the mainland.
As a result, here’s how I would think about Taiwan Chinese New Year travel. If January, February or March is when it’s convenient for you to travel anyway, then I wouldn’t cancel or postpone my trip simply due to the holiday taking place then. On the flip side, I definitely don’t recommend prioritizing travel at this time, as it simply isn’t the best time to visit Taiwan irrespective of Chinese New Year itself.
Other FAQ About Spending Chinese New Year in Taiwan
Do they celebrate Chinese New Year in Taiwan?
Yes, Taiwanese people celebrate Chinese New Year, though neither the holiday itself nor the associated human migration is nearly as intense as what you find on the Chinese mainland. As a result, Taiwan is a lot less daunting as a Chinese New Year travel destination, compared to China itself.
Is it a good time to go to Taiwan during Chinese New Year?
I would not go out of my way to visit Taiwan during Chinese New Year, in part because it often takes place during the coldest and wettest time of the year. With this being said, the Chinese New Year holiday should not be a deal breaker—if you happen to be in Taiwan during this time, it will not ruin or disrupt your trip.
How long is the Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan?
As in mainland China, the Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan lasts for 15 days after the official day of Chinese New Year. With this being said, people in Taiwan may go back to work long before the end of the holiday period, which makes it feel much more “normal” and less hectic than it can in mainland China.
The Bottom Line
Should you spend Chinese New Year in Taiwan? The bad news is that if you’re reading this post, you’ve probably realized that you unintentionally booked your Taiwan trip to take place during the Chinese New Year holiday—have you made a catastrophic mistake? The good news is that no, spending the lunar new year period in Taiwan isn’t necessarily a bad idea, at least not if you know what to expect. You may even be able to attend an amazing lantern festival, depending on how full the rest of your trip is. Need personalized help putting together a Taiwan trip that takes place during Chinese New Year? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary today!
