As colourful Chinese New Year 2025 comes sooner, the year of Snake that brings so much luck is too good to miss.

While you can celebrate in cities across Australia, Asia offers some of the most vibrant celebrations of Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. This festival, rooted in ancient traditions and observed across various Asian countries, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. While the essence of the celebration—ushering in good luck and prosperity—is universally shared, each country infuses its unique cultural flavour into the festivities.

We have few recommendations of the best places to experience the biggest and most unique celebrations of Chinese New Year across the Asia.

China is the mother of all Lunar New Year celebrations, where the largest Chinese Lunar New Year event occurs. There is a long list of carnivals, festivals, worship events, and parties that are usually held. The festival's mood is enhanced by the town's historical buildings and temples.

In the capital city Beijing, traditional temple fairs are popular. During the festival, many different events are going on, including a ritual with performers dressed in traditional Qing dynasty attire, parades, drum performances, lion dances, games, folk shows, and, of course, the sale of a wide range of local dishes. The city is also adorned with lanterns and various decorations. This kind of celebration can be also found in Victoria harbour in Hong Kong.

Another famous celebration in China is lantern festival. You can visit Shanghai to see the annual lantern festival. The lantern festival in Shanghai takes place in the Yuyuan Garden which is very famous for its stunning lantern displays and cultural performances.

Aside from China, you can go to Singapore to enjoy a fantastic Chinese New Year celebration. One of the popular annual Chinese New Year's events in Singapore that you should attend is the Chingay Parade which has been going on since 1973! It's a spectacular street parade showcasing the multicultural heritage of Singapore with floats, dancing, and performances.

Remember to pay a visit to the Chinatown area too. The heart of Chinese New Year festivities in Singapore is Chinatown. This town provides a variety of events and performances to complete your Chinese New Year celebration. It's transformed with vibrant decorations, stunning light-ups, and street markets selling festive goods, traditional snacks, and decorations.

The area buzzes with cultural performances, lion dances, and sometimes, stage shows. Or you can also go to Marina Bay River for large scale lantern displays, fireworks, and a variety of cultural performances and activities.

In Thailand, Bangkok is usually the place in charge of organizing Thailand's largest lunar new year event. The Chinese community will take time off work to celebrate the Chinese New Year and participate in events like lion dances, performances, and firecrackers, plus, enjoy the Chinese buffets together.

By visiting Thailand, you will be able to experience Chinese New Year celebrations with Thai-Chinese communities and also learn about the legacy of Chinese culture in Thailand, especially in Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat Road). The epicenter of Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand is Bangkok's Chinatown.

This vibrant area becomes even more lively during the festival, with streets adorned with red lanterns, dragon parades, and traditional lion dances. The area is bustling with food stalls, selling an array of Chinese delicacies, and stages are set up for cultural performances.

Tet or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year is Vietnam's most important traditional celebration. Several wonderful delicacies are exclusively made during this two-week seasonal holiday in Vietnam, which makes it an extraordinary occasion to celebrate. During this season, you can see the country appear a bit different; the airports, trains, and everything! In major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, streets are adorned with festive decorations, especially in areas with significant Chinese-Vietnamese communities. These cities host vibrant flower markets, where people buy traditional decorations like peach blossoms (in the North) or yellow apricot flowers (in the South), along with kumquat trees.

Participating in a Tet Festival, such as visiting Tao Dan Park, is a great way to experience Vietnamese New Year traditions. Here, visitors can witness lion dance performances, enjoy Vietnamese street food, and see locals adorned in red and yellow, colors signifying prosperity and success. Watching fireworks is a key part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam. These displays, particularly along the Han River, are a spectacle, with many people gathering at rooftop bars and other vantage points to enjoy the view.

In Malaysia, the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a vibrant and significant festival, especially among the quarter of the population with Chinese heritage. The celebration, which marks a festival of renewal, spans 15 days and is rich with lively traditions and cultural significance.

The festivities extend beyond just one night, with many businesses and Chinese districts experiencing closures or reduced hours. Traditional parades and performances, including lion dances, are common public spectacles, and special festival foods are available only during this period. The Yee Sang, a salad made with various vegetables, salmon, and seasoned with hoisin sauce and other condiments, is a staple dish. It is not just a culinary delight but also a part of a ritual where family members toss the salad in the air with chopsticks to attract good fortune.

In Kuala Lumpur, the celebration is particularly vibrant. Chinatown and Old Klang Road are popular spots for enjoying fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks are also abundant on the ninth day of the festivities, commemorating the birth of the Jade Emperor. Chap Goh Mei, the 15th and final day of the festival, is marked by a unique tradition where single women throw oranges into the sea, sometimes with their phone numbers, in hopes of finding a good husband. This tradition signifies the end of the celebrations and is a testament to the festive spirit and positive energy of the Lunar New Year in Malaysia.

In South Korea, Chinese New Year is called Seollal. When you go to Korea, there are various activities that blend traditional and modern experiences. In Seoul, the streets may be quieter as locals visit their family homes, but several attractions remain open. You can visit theme parks like Lotte World, which offers parades, light shows, and other unique experiences during the New Year period. Seoul's royal palaces, such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, host traditional rituals and activities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Seollal splendor.

For a more traditional experience, tourists can visit the Korea Folk Village in Yongin, which showcases the culture of the Joseon dynasty through folk games, traditional music performances, and other events. Additionally, for those looking to escape the city, a trip to Nami Island offers a serene atmosphere with green spaces, picnic spots, and various recreational activities.

Beyond Seoul, you can explore attractions like the Aqua Planet Gwanggyo, an aquarium showcasing underwater world displays and interactive activities. Another excellent cultural experience is spending time in Jongno-gu, a rich traditional neighborhood in Seoul, where visitors can rent hanbok, tour Gyeongbokgung Palace, and dine at traditional hanok restaurants.

You can celebrate Chinese New Year in Japan, especially in areas with significant Chinese communities. Although not a national holiday in Japan, Chinese New Year is celebrated with enthusiasm in several regions. In Chinatowns like Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki, tourists can experience vibrant festivities with lion and dragon dances, firecrackers, and streets adorned with red lanterns and paper-cuts. Nagasaki is particularly renowned for its grand Nagasaki Lantern Festival, featuring over 15,000 lanterns, parades, live music concerts with Chinese instruments, and acrobatic performances.

The festival lasts about two weeks, starting with a popular lighting-up event. Ikebukuro, though not a traditional Chinatown, offers an authentic Chinese atmosphere with special dishes served in many restaurants during the New Year. Besides Chinatowns, some towns in Okinawa and other southern islands also celebrate Lunar New Year, with local customs like putting up flags and eating Okinawan soba.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Indonesia can be enjoyed through a variety of activities that reflect the country's cultural diversity. In Indonesia, the celebration blends traditional Chinese customs with local Indonesian traditions, making it a unique experience. The streets and buildings in Indonesian cities are adorned with festive decorations like red lanterns, colorful paper cutouts, and calligraphy banners, creating a lively atmosphere.

One of the central customs is the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve, where families gather for a sumptuous feast, symbolizing unity and familial bonds. Traditional dishes served include dumplings, fish, and sweet rice cakes, each carrying symbolic meanings for luck, prosperity, and abundance. The giving and receiving of red envelopes ("hongbao" or "angpao") filled with money from elders to children and unmarried adults is a common practice, signifying good luck and prosperity.

Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia typically last for 15 days, with the most significant events occurring during the first few days. The first day of the Lunar New Year is marked by lion and dragon dance performances in places like Chinatown in Jakarta, believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The second day features prayer ceremonies in Chinese temples across Indonesia, while the third day is dedicated to festive parades in various cities.

The seventh day sees the traditional tossing of Yusheng in Chinese restaurants, a symbolic act believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The fifteenth day marks the Lantern Festival, celebrated across Indonesia with temples and public spaces adorned with beautiful lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere.

In Philippines, you can join the vibrant celebrations of Chinese New Year, particularly in areas with a significant Chinese-Filipino community. The festivities incorporate traditional Chinese culture with a unique Filipino twist. A central aspect of the celebration is the array of delicious foods, including the popular "tikoy," a glutinous rice cake symbolizing family bonds. The streets come alive with red decorations, the lucky color of the festival, and people commonly exchange red envelopes ("ang pao") containing money.

Celebrations also feature traditional dragon and lion dances, believed to bring good luck to businesses and families, and the joyous setting off of fireworks ("paputok").

Meanwhile in Taiwan, you can celebrate Chinese New Year by engaging in the festive atmosphere and participating in various cultural activities. The holiday typically begins on New Year's Eve and extends into the following week, with many people returning to their family homes for a grand reunion dinner. Although families spend the first day at home, the subsequent days are filled with short trips to tourist attractions, which are bustling during this period. Shopping enthusiasts can find bargains in department stores, as business owners offer significant discounts. Additionally, the holiday is marked by the loud and joyous setting off of firecrackers and fireworks, particularly on New Year's Eve. Tourists are encouraged to immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting Taiwanese friends' homes, enjoying traditional foods, and participating in festivities like playing mahjong.

If that is your question, below are some lunar new year traditions you can do to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

1. Household cleaning which represents sweeping away the previous year's poor fortune and preparing their houses to accept good fortune.

2. Shopping! Undeniably, Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to go shopping. Buy new clothes, foods, snacks, and decorations to enhance your celebration's mood.

3. Do not forget to have a New Year's Eve family reunion dinner. Prepare special and traditional meals for the whole family.

4. The most well-known and never-to-be-forgotten lunar new year tradition is exchanging red envelopes and gifts to bring happiness to the receivers. So, make sure you prepare your 'angpow’ and gifts! Exploring the wonderful celebrations of Chinese New Year in different countries is a fantastic experience. From the lively streets of Beijing to the festive parades in Kuala Lumpur, each place offers something special.

If you're thinking about seeing these celebrations for yourself, now's a great time to start planning. Traveloka can help make your trip easy. They have lots of choices for places to stay and can help you book your flight quickly. Why wait? Check out Traveloka and get ready for an amazing Chinese New Year adventure in a country that will give you memories to last a lifetime.

Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year refer to the same holiday, though the terminology can vary based on cultural context. Chinese New Year is specifically the celebration of the new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It's rich in traditions and customs originating from China, including family reunions, special foods, red decorations, and various rituals to welcome good luck and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Lunar New Year is a more inclusive term that refers to the new year celebrations based on the lunar calendar, observed not only in China but also in other countries with significant cultural influences from China. This includes countries like Vietnam (where the festival is known as Tết), Korea (where it's called Seollal), and others in East and Southeast Asia.

While the underlying celebration is the same, marking the start of a new year according to the lunar calendar, the specific customs, traditions, and even names of the festival can vary from one culture to another.