Lunar New Year

lunar-new-year

Gods on Parade: A New Year’s Tradition Keeps the Good Times Rolling

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

A colorful procession of deities forms an important part of the annual Spring Festival celebrations for rural communities in southeast China.

Wu Dong

China’s Biggest Spring Festival in Years, by the Numbers

The films, trends, and destinations that defined this year’s Lunar New Year holiday.

Luo Yahan

How to Draw a Dragon

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

A short art history of the Chinese zodiac’s most fantastical creature.

Bao Wenwei

Why Some Films Dodged China’s Spring Festival Box Office Frenzy

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

To avoid fierce competition and seek more favorable release timings, at least four highly anticipated films chose to postpone their premieres until after the holiday season.

He Qitong

Amid Spring Festival Logjam, Hainan Scrambles to Add Flights, Ferries

With thousands of tourists stranded amid an unprecedented surge in travel, authorities have announced increased flights, introduced new ferry and shuttle services, and reopened parking bays at airports to ease congestion.

Ye Zhanhang

China’s Film Industry Roars Into New Year With Record Gross 

A slew of well-rated domestic “new year films” have driven China’s box office to new heights this festive period.

Fan Yiying

Street Stall Craze Continues as Young Chinese Make the Most of Spring Festival

The revival of the street stall economy has continued into Spring Festival, with young Chinese entrepreneurs making the most of their extended breaks.

Chu Jing Her

Young Chinese Embrace Change in Traditional New Year Celebrations

From simplifying Spring Festival meals to reducing the burden of family reunions, young Chinese are updating age-old Spring Festival customs.

The Many Faces of China’s Most Popular Deity

Good fortune comes in many forms. It only makes sense that the God of Wealth would, too.

Wu Shishu

Sun, Sea, and Snow: This Year’s Spring Festival Tourism Trends

Visa-free policies have increased the attractiveness of Southeast Asia for Chinese tourists.

3 Youth-Inspired Consumption Trends This Spring Festival 

From prayer beads to ready-made meals, young Chinese are playing a bigger part in the annual nianhuo consumption rush.

Yang Caini

3 Surprising Things From This Year’s Spring Festival Gala

Chunwan, China’s biggest TV event of the year, is the country’s most watched and most scrutinized show. This year’s edition largely received praise from the public.

Do Ready-Made Meals Belong at China’s New Year’s Table?

The rise of precooked versions of popular New Year’s dishes has traditionalists spitting mad, but they’re more than just lazy substitutes.

Li Xueshi

How the Dragon King Emerged From the Waves

About 2,000 years ago, Chinese began worshipping the mythical beast as the God of Water, praying for rain and protection.

Sheng Wenqiang

Icy Roads and Snowstorms Freeze China’s Holiday Travel Rush

Across central China, severe winter weather has caused disruptions to Spring Festival travel, leading to traffic jams, highway closures, and stranded travelers.

Collage: How Cities Across China Are Welcoming the Dragon 

The best art and installations celebrating the imminent arrival of the Year of the Dragon.

Wu Huiyuan 

Qi Ya

Stranded: Rare Blizzard Impacts Spring Festival Travelers

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Heavy snow and freezing rain have led to widespread highway closures and train cancellations, particularly in central parts of China.

The Paper

AI Game Mimicking Nosy Relatives Takes China by Storm

“Why didn’t you bring your partner?”

Spring Festival Travelers Fret as Extreme Weather Arrives

Some are bringing forward their travel plans to reduce the risk of cancellations and disruptions.

Students, Migrant Workers to Get Early Train Ticket Access This Spring Festival 

A new preferential ticket booking channel makes it more likely for students and migrant workers to secure train tickets home for family reunions this Spring Festival.