Chinese New Year 2025 is just around the corner and the excitement of this celebration is not only limited to aspects of Chinese culture but is also an exciting moment for everyone. To welcome good luck and joy, we have summarised 20 best cities to celebrate the Year of Snake.

In 2025, the Year of the Snake brings themes of transformation and resilience, encouraging individuals to adapt to challenges and focus on personal growth. Snakes are known for their ability to shed their skin and renew themselves, symbolising the opportunity to leave behind old habits or negativity and embrace a fresh start. It’s a time to stay optimistic, even in the face of obstacles, and to find strength in persistence and self-care.

With 2025 being the Year of the Snake, it’s also a good chance to reflect on the year ahead. Travel can bring a fresh perspective, and spending this meaningful holiday in a new environment can help you start the year with positivity and enthusiasm. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore our top picks for the best cities to celebrate Chinese New Year!

Here are some interesting tourist destinations where you can enjoy memorable CNY getaways.

Kicking off the list is Harbin, a city that knows how to turn winter into an art form. If you’ve ever wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year surrounded by glowing ice castles and jaw-dropping snow sculptures, Harbin’s world-famous Ice and Snow Festival is the place to be.

The highlight of the festival is the Harbin Ice and Snow World, where you’ll find massive ice buildings, light-up sculptures, and fun activities like snow tubing and snow biking. Picture yourself walking through giant ice castles that seem straight out of a fairy tale, with colourful lights adding an extra spark. It’s like stepping into a snow globe!

It’s a good idea to start planning your Harbin trip months in advance. Chinese New Year is a busy time, and Harbin, like many other cities in China, gets packed with visitors. Hotels near the main attractions fill up fast, so booking early can save you the hassle of scrambling for a place to stay later. A little preparation goes a long way in making your trip smooth and enjoyable!

Shanghai is a great place to celebrate Chinese New Year, offering a combination of modern attractions and traditional celebrations. While some shops may close for the first few days of the holiday, the city’s major stores and tourist spots stay open. This is your chance to explore the city at a more relaxed pace without the usual hustle and bustle.

One highlight of the season is the Lantern Festival at Yu Gardens. For 31 days during Chinese New Year, the gardens are filled with beautiful lantern displays. The best part? It’s free to enter, although it can get busy, so it’s a good idea to go early if you want to avoid the crowds. While you’re there, don’t miss the Temple Fair, where you can shop for traditional items, taste local snacks, and watch some cool performances.

Or if you are here with the family, Shanghai Disney Resort is the place to be. With special Lunar New Year events, the park offers parades, shows, and themed food to make the celebrations extra fun.

Just like other places that celebrate Chinese New Year 2025, Kuala Lumpur will be full of colourful decorations, bright lights, and entertaining street shows. The celebration involves family, gatherings, feats, and traditional dances.

Tourists can engage in these activities too at locations such as Chinatown and Thean Hou Temple. You can stay the night near the temple by book hotels near Thean Hou Temple on Traveloka. Not only that, you can also sample special Chinese New Year cuisine at restaurants or even purchase festive items at street markets.

Taipei will celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 with traditional festive activities. Families will gather for a special New Year’s Eve dinner and enjoy traditional holiday foods. The city will be decorated with red lanterns, firecrackers, and paper decorations, symbolising luck and prosperity. Not only that, but it will also be common for locals to visit temples to pray and clean their homes to avoid ill fortune.

As for tourists, you can partake in these traditions by visiting temples in Taipei. Most temples remain open to the public, even during Chinese New Year. It’s highly recommended to stay until the Lantern Festival comes, as it becomes a major event, when colourful lanterns and lively street performances will illuminate the city.

Bali, famous for its Balinese Hindu culture, has been home to a notable Chinese community since the 14th century. Chinese traders arrived by sea, settled on the island, and lived harmoniously with the local Hindu community. They embraced Chinese New Year (also known as 'Imlek' in Indonesia), and Bali celebrates it with a blend of Chinese traditions, Balinese charm, and fusion cuisine. In late January, the island comes alive with festive excitement, featuring red lanterns, cultural performances, parades, fireworks, and special CNY menus in many restaurants.

You can watch a lion dance performance at a shopping mall, such as Level 21 Mall or some Chinese restaurants. This tradition is believed to bring fortune, and besides that, kids will be happy to feed the lion some red envelopes. This year, RIMBA by AYANA Bali will host a stunning countdown and fireworks.

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is a big, fun event. Streets get filled with colourful decorations like lanterns and flowers that mean good luck. People watch traditional lion and dragon dances that have loud drum and cymbal sounds.

On New Year's Eve, families have a big meal with traditional food. Tourists can join the fun by going to busy night markets, watching the famous Lunar New Year parade, or seeing the amazing fireworks over Victoria Harbour. You can also have a wonderful and lively moment to enjoy CNY like locals by indulging in delicacies around the world by having a dinner buffet at Big Bay Café.

The happy and lively mood during Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is something locals and visitors absolutely enjoy!

Chinese New Year in Korea is also called Seollal. It shares the timing with the Chinese New Year and is calculated based on the lunar calendar. Families come together to celebrate, engaging in Korean rituals (like sebae and charye), enjoying traditional foods, playing folk games, and participating in various customary activities.

You can visit South Korea’s three best theme parks; Everland, Lotte World, and Seoul Land. They provide a range of attractions and Seollal-themed activities such as sledding, light shows, and parades that you don’t want to miss!

Tokyo's festivities will go on for a whole week, giving you lots of chances to join in. In central Tokyo, Ikebukuro is now home to a recently established "Chinatown." It's a convenient location for Chinese residents in Tokyo, as the northern part of Ikebukuro station features numerous part-time job opportunities, Chinese restaurants, supermarkets, bookstores, and other concentrated shops and businesses. During Chinese New Year, lots of Chinese people gather in the area, and many restaurants serve special dishes.

London is one of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. In central London, the celebrations usually happen in the West End, from Shaftesbury Avenue to Trafalgar Square. There are many performances that you can enjoy here, such as a colourful parade, free stage performances, and you can also take selfies with Chinese zodiac animals. You can stay in London by booking a hotel in London on Traveloka.

Chinese New Year celebration in Penang exhibits the rich customs of the local Chinese community. People usually celebrate Lunar New Year by having a reunion dinner with their family to toss Yee Sang, a salad that represents everyone coming together to bring in prosperity and good fortune. For an unforgettable Chinese New Year celebration in Penang, you need to check out the flame-watching ceremony at Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. The burning flames, seen during lion dances and drum performances, are thought to predict the state's economic fortunes.

Make sure to visit Kek Lok Si Temple, especially during the annual Display of Lights. It becomes a magical place with lots of colours and lights, attracting visitors from all around. This tradition of thousands of LEDs and lanterns has been lighting up the Lunar New Year for nearly 50 years. You can book a hotel near Kek Lok Si Temple on Traveloka upon your visit to Penang.

Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebration is also one of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia. People in Sydney usually celebrate Lunar New Year in the lanes of Haymarket, which come alive with street parades, lion dances, lanterns display, dragon boats, pop-up markets, art installations, and delicious food. To celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney, don’t forget to book a hotel in Sydney on Traveloka!

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, families gather to have a family dinner. Many temples will be decorated with red lanterns and huge red candles. During the two-week celebrations, you'll see lion dancers with drums and cymbals, and people give red packets to the lions for good luck. In parades, dancers carry colourful "dragons" through the crowded streets.

Tourists usually visit Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Monastery, which is currently the largest temple in Southeast Asia. You can stay the night by booking a hotel near Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple on Traveloka.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Malacca’s (or well-known as Melaka) streets will be lit up with a thousand red lanterns, symbolising prosperity and happiness. People usually go to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest traditional Chinese temple in Malaysia to do some Chinese New Year rituals, including praying for the upcoming year with full of hope. Don’t forget to book a hotel in Malacca upon your visit here.

Hanoi might be just the place for you. As Vietnam’s capital, it’s a city filled with history, culture, and a blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. During CNY, Hanoi comes alive with traditions and celebrations that are worth experiencing.

One spot you shouldn’t miss is the Quang Ba Flower Market. It’s not your usual shopping trip, this market kicks off in the early hours, around 3 a.m., and is bustling with people even before the sun rises. Locals flock here to pick up Tet essentials like peach blossoms and ochna integerrima, the bright yellow flowers that are a big part of the celebrations.

Shoppers haggle over flowers, motorbikes zip through carrying big bundles of blooms, and the air is filled with the smell of freshly cooked street food. It’s a mix of sounds, sights, and smells that really gives you a feel for the Tet spirit.

Macau lights up for the Lunar New Year with a celebration filled with excitement. The New Year's Day Parade is the main event, featuring a 238-metre-long giant dragon making its way around the Historic Centre of Macau. Starting from St Paul's Ruins at 11am, this spectacular show really brings the celebrations to life.

Despite being a small city, Macau is full of history and culture. It’s super walkable, so you can easily check out all the must-see sights like old streets, temples, and beautiful buildings that mix both Chinese and Portuguese influences. Although everything in Macau is within walking distance, it's a good idea to plan your stay close to the attractions you want to visit. This way, you can save time and make the most of your trip without worrying about long walks or transport.

If you love fireworks, Macau’s got you covered. There are five prime spots to catch the show, including Sun Yat-Sen, Avenida de Sagres (right by the Mandarin Oriental), the waterfront at the Macao Science Center, and Avenida do Oceano da Taipa.

Los Angeles may not have as long a celebration as other places, but the city still knows how to throw a Chinese New Year celebration. The Golden Dragon Parade is one of the city's biggest attractions, bringing the streets to life with traditional dance, music and culture. On top of that, there are lively festivals, shopping deals and food specials all over the city, making it an exciting time to visit.

If you're a theme park fan, LA will be even more festive with Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney California Adventure Park bringing in the Chinese New Year celebrations. Imagine saying hello to Megatron from Transformers or Mickey Mouse in Chinese New Year attire! These parks join in the fun with parades, musical performances, and themed menus, all of which add a touch of magic to the celebration.

For anyone who loves a good party, LA will not disappoint. Many local restaurants offer special Chinese New Year menus, so you can enjoy traditional dishes like dumplings, noodles, and other festive foods while exploring the city.

Thinking of a fun way to celebrate Chinese New Year in Jakarta? You got the right city. The heart of the celebration is in Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown. This area has been the hub of Chinese culture since the Dutch colonial days, and during the weeks leading up to the New Year, it turns into a busy market.

One of the best parts of Chinese New Year celebrations here is watching the Barongsai (lion or dragon dance) performance. These dances are not only fun to watch-they are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year. These performances are held regularly at malls like Taman Anggrek, Emporium Pluit, and Mall at Bassura during the holidays, and kids love them. It's a great way to involve the whole family in the celebrations.

For a real taste of Chinese tradition, head to Pantjoran Pantai Indah Kapuk. This area is filled with Chinese restaurants and has the right atmosphere for a family meal on Chinese New Year's Eve. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes such as Siu Mie (long noodles for longevity) and Nian Gao (sticky rice cakes for prosperity).

Of course, no celebration is complete without fireworks. Although fireworks are banned in China, you can still find them in markets in Jakarta, especially in Glodok. Fireworks are an important part of this tradition, which is believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure a fresh start in the new year. So buy some and enjoy the show with friends and family!

In the Ryukyu Islands, the Lunar New Year is celebrated a bit differently than in other parts of the world. While the majority of Japan doesn’t observe the Lunar New Year, the Ryukyu Islands, specifically Okinawa, keep the tradition alive. In fact, they celebrate the New Year not just once, but three times a year!

The first celebration kicks off on January 1st, in line with Japan's New Year customs. Okinawans enjoy toshikoshi soba, but with a twis, it's wheat noodles served with pork, rather than the traditional buckwheat soba. While it might seem like a regular Japanese New Year, the customs are infused with Okinawan culture, such as hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year) and thorough end-of-year cleaning.

The second New Year celebration occurs on the first day of the Lunar New Year, just like the rest of the world. Although it’s on a smaller scale compared to other places, it still includes a mix of indigenous and Chinese cultural elements. Expect traditional food, performances, and family gatherings, all in a uniquely Okinawan style.

The third celebration is the most distinctive. On the 16th day of the Lunar New Year, Okinawans observe Jūrukunichi, or the New Year of the Afterlife, also called gusō. It's a time for families to visit their hometowns and honour their ancestors, much like the Obon festival in mainland Japan. Traditional offerings include pork, kamaboko (fish cakes), and tofu. It’s a meaningful, reflective time for the people of Okinawa, tying together family, tradition, and the spirit world.

Chinese New Year in Manila is definitely a celebration you shouldn't miss. The streets of Chinatown are full of activity, and you'll find yourself caught up in the excitement as everyone gets ready for the new year. This year is the Year of the Snake, and you'll see many fun traditions and decorations that come with it.

One of the best things about Chinese New Year in Manila is the food. The restaurants in Chinatown stay open all through the night, serving up delicious meals. You’ll find everything from familiar dishes to more unique, local favorites that only a few people know about. The food is super tasty and doesn’t break the bank. If you’re in Manila for Chinese New Year, make sure to snap some pictures. The celebrations are full of cool sights, from parades to performances, and it’s the perfect time to capture some memories.

Singkawang, one of Indonesia's largest Chinatowns, is a must-visit during Chinese New Year, and it's no surprise why. The city is home to a predominantly Hakka Chinese population, with a rich mix of cultures, including Malay, Dayak, Javanese and Madurese communities. The diversity and harmony here is something to behold, hence Singkawang's nickname as the ‘City of a Thousand Temples’ and the ‘Hong Kong of Borneo.’

When you’re in Singkawang for Chinese New Year, be sure to try the Mie Tiaw Asuk. This local dish, made by an "asuk" (meaning uncle), consists of flat noodles cooked with egg, bean sprouts, sweet basil leaves, soy sauce, and lime. With added shrimp and meat, it’s a delicious way to celebrate the season.

Another spot you can’t miss is the Tjhia family house, a historical landmark more than 100 years old. The house, still home to the Tjhia family’s sixth generation, was designed by a Hong Kong architect and features classic Chinese architecture. You can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and admire the traditional Chinese ornaments still preserved. Don’t forget to try the Choipan, a tasty Chinese snack served with a spicy and tangy sambal.

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