10 Unmissable Things to Do in Beijing During Chinese New Year

Written by Veronica | Updated February 03,2026

Beijing has eight World Heritage sites and is one of the most popular tourist destinations among international visitors. The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), as a grand festival for the Chinese nation to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, and bring families together, has been included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So visiting Beijing during Chinese New Year, a capital city that combines ancient and modern charm, is definitely an unforgettable experience!

Here are top 10 things to do in Beijing during Chinese New Year, such as going to temple fairs, tasting delicious food, visiting landmark attractions, exploring the ancient capital’s winter charm, and more. Whether it’s the piety in the sound of blessing bells, the passion on the ice and snow tracks, or the warmth under the lights of hutongs, you can always have a wonderful and colorful journey of Beijing Chinese New Year.

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• Why Beijing Shines During Lunar New Year
• What are the top attractions open in Beijing during Lunar New Year?
• Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing During Chinese New Year
• Accommodation Recommendation during the Spring Festival
• Essential Tips for Beijing During Chinese New Year
• Plan Your Beijing Winter Trip with China Xian Tour

Why Beijing Shines During Lunar New Year

As a fusion of China’s ancient capital of six dynasties and a modern international city, Beijing’s unique charm during Chinese New Year comes from the deep inheritance of traditional customs, innovative expression of modern cultural tourism, integration of international perspectives, and the festive atmosphere of national participation.

Beijing has not only the handicrafts under the red wall of the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the daily bustling in the Hutongs, but also the fireworks show in Universal Studios and the ice and snow carnival in the ski resorts, meeting the tourists’ multiple imagination of Chinese New Year. For international tourists, it is also a rare window to learn about Chinese culture, thus becoming the undisputed prime destination for Spring Festival tours.

What are the top attractions open in Beijing during Lunar New Year?

When making plan to travel to China, the first question you may need to solve is: are major tourist sites in Beijing open during this time? And yes, most attractions stay open during the Spring Festival. Here are opening information of some popular spots:

Typical Operating Hours for Top Beijing Attractions (2026 Spring Festival)

Tips: If you don’t know how to book via WeChat Mini App, you can also try booking on official websites or via travel agencies. Platforms like Trip.com also provide early booking services.

Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing During Chinese New Year

What to do in Beijing during Chinese New Year? Below will provide you with a prefect answer:

Dive into Temple Fair (Miaohui)

During Chinese New Year, Beijing’s traditional temple fairs (庙会) such as Ditan Temple Fair, Longtan Temple Fair, Changdian Temple Fair are still popular check-in spots. At these temple fairs, a dazzling array of traditional snacks, exquisite and unique handicrafts, as well as exciting folk-custom performances, dragon and lion dances and traditional Chinese operas, create a joyful festive atmosphere. Through innovative forms such as AR technology and interactive experiences, tourists can experience the modern charm of traditional Chinese New Year customs. Grand View Garden, Badachu Park, Shijingshan Amusement Park are also good places for Beijing temple fairs.

Major Temple Fairs in Beijing (2026)

Explore Decorated Iconic Landmarks

It is a special Chinese New Year celebration in Beijing that the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square both have unique lighting setups to create charming night scenes.

Early in the morning, you can watch the solemn flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. During the Spring Festival, the Palace Museum will have special exhibitions and cultural activities, where you can enjoy exquisite cultural relics and magnificent royal architecture. Ascend Jingshan Park to enjoy the panoramic view of the Forbidden City amidst the snow.

In winter, the royal garden – Summer Palace is adorned with snowflakes and covered in silver, perfect for taking photos. In Beihai Park, the lake surface is snow-white and the White Pagoda appears even more solemn in the snow. And both the Summer Palace and Beihai Park have ice rinks for ice skating, allowing you to enjoy the fun of winter.

Go to the blessing holy place in Beijing – Lama Temple to make your first New Year’s wish. At the Temple of Heaven Park, enjoy the grand and majestic scene of the sacrificial ceremony, while its tranquility and solemnity of winter are particularly charming. Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall and experience this magnificent historical relics in winter. You can also climb the Badaling Great Wall at night and spend a romantic, lively, and reunion Spring Festival on it.

Feast on Auspicious Street Food

Go around Beijing’s food streets, such as Wangfujing and Qianmen Street, and go to the time-honored restaurants to taste festive winter cuisine and traditional Beijing food, warming your body and mind.

• Beijing Roast Duck or Peking Duck (Quanjude, Bianyifang)
• Instant-boiled Mutton (NanMen Shabu, Jubaoyuan, Donglaishun)
• Zhajiangmian (Haiwanju, Fang Zhuan Chang 69)
• Beijing snacks: Lvdagur, Tanghulu, Luzhu, Douzhir with Jiaoquan, etc.

Finally, don’t forget to eat dumplings that are a must-have for Lunar New Year Beijing or even northern China.

Join Hutong Family Traditions

If you travel to Beijing during Chinese New Year, be sure to take a stroll in the hutongs and search for the old Beijing customs code. Nanluoguxiang, Yandai Diagonal Street, Liulichang, Wudaoying Hutong, Yangmeizhu Xiejie Byway… These hutongs are decorated with New Year reds and colorful lights, filled with a strong festive atmosphere. Go deep into the alleys, taste the crispy and tender Baodu, the delicate Chatang, buy a string of Tanghulu, and visit those special creative shops. If you want to experience Beijing hutongs in depth, why not stay overnight at a Siheyuan homestay, make dumplings by yourself, and feel the warmth of “home”?

Ring in the Year at Bell & Drum Towers

As the northern starting point on Beijing Central Axis, the Bell and Drum Towers was the timekeeping center of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties’ capital city, representing a rich time culture. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Drum and Bell Ceremony held here can be regarded as one of the most exciting Beijing New Year events. The sound of bells and drums outlines the bustling scene of the year-change and celebration, passing on the historical memory together with the wishes of the New Year.

Ski or Skate at Winter Resorts

Skiing or skating is one of the best things to do in Beijing during Chinese New Year. In winter, Beijing’s ski resorts and ice rinks have opened their doors, such as Nanshan Ski Resort, Huaibei Ski Resort, Badaling Ski Resort, Shichahai Ice Resort, Yuanmingyuan Ice Resort, Olympic Park Dragon-shaped River Rink, etc., becoming excellent places for people to experience the charm of winter sports. Here, you can experience the excitement of skiing or the elegance of ice skating. In addition, various ice and snow venues also host a variety of colorful activities, such as ice hockey matches, snow tug of war competitions, etc., allowing you to experience the passion and vitality of winter sports in joy.

Shop at Panjiayuan or Silk Street

Trendy toy or shopping enthusiasts can go to Panjiayuan Flea Market, a distinctive cultural and artistic consumption landmark in Beijing and even across China, to visit the folk culture street market. Not only are intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, jewelry, jade, porcelain, coins, and various old objects displayed and sold here, but traditional performances can also be watched.

Alternatively, you can go to Silk Street (Xiushui Market) to participate in the Beijing Gift Festival and choose your favorite Beijing gift to take home; Explore Wangfujing Street and indulge in non-stop shopping, from luxury brands to interesting local shops.

The Qianmen Dashilan Street Mall also has beautiful festive decorations and promotional activities, which are suitable for shopping, enjoying delicious food and experiencing the urban New Year atmosphere.

Enjoy Festive Lanterns

Besides temple fair, enjoying festive lanterns is also one of the top things to do in Beijing during Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival Lantern Carnival at Beijing Garden Expo can be regarded as the ultimate fusion of lighting with festive customs. More than 100,000 exquisite colorful lights interweave with dazzling light shows to create a visual feast, accompanied by exciting Chinese New Year parade, Beijing authentic cuisine, as well as rich amusement projects.

In addition, Beijing World Horticultural Expo Park will hold a Lantern Art Festival, where thousands of lanterns that integrate technology and tradition will bloom brilliantly, shocking your senses. The lantern carnival event held at Beijing International Flower Port allows you to enjoy dazzling lantern shows and rich cultural performances.

Note: The location of Beijing New Year Lantern Festival is subject to official notification.

See also: Chinese New Year Celebrations 2026 – A Day by Day Guide

Feel Modern Vitality

Universal Studios Beijing, a world-famous theme park, radiates magic in winter, bringing seasonal activities, New Year decorations and exciting amusement facilities, as well as night fireworks show.

The Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), as iconic venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcase the beauty of modern architecture in Beijing. During Chinese New Year, you can visit these two venues, take a leisurely walk in the surrounding Olympic Forest Park, and overlook the night view of Beijing Central Axis from the observation deck on the top of the Olympic Tower.

Witness Dazzling Cultural Performances

Beijing is undoubtedly China’s Cultural and Arts Capital, too. During Chinese New Year, in addition to enjoying traditional folk-custom performances at temple fairs, you can also go to:

• National Centre for the Performing Arts, Chang’an Grand Theatre, Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, Beijing Performing Arts Centre, or Beijing Poly Theatre: Watch various cultural art performances such as Peking Operas, concerts, modern dramas, dance dramas, children’s dramas, acrobatic shows, and so on.
• 798 Art District: Ranked as one of the most culturally significant city art centers in the world by the American magazine “Time”, 798 Art District not only has markets, concerts, New Year’s dramas, and avant-garde galleries & exhibitions, but also various ceremonial activities that immerse you in the joy of Chinese New Year. Its lighting installation will last until the Lantern Festival!

Accommodation Recommendation during the Spring Festival

• The area near Qianmen and Dashilan:located in the city center, this area is very close to Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. And it is convenient to travel to the traditional temple fairs, like Changdian and Longtan. You can also taste the auspicious street food in Qianmen Street.
• The area near Shichahai and Bell Tower: living in this area, you can explore the nearby hutongs, like Nanluoguxiang, and hear the ring of Bell and Drum Tower. The Ditan Temple Fair is also not far.
• Huairou District (near Yanxi Lake):the Huaibei Ski Resort is located here, so it is more suitable for tourists who plan to go skiing.

Essential Tips for Beijing During Chinese New Year

• Advance Planning: Chinese New Year is a peak tourist season in Beijing. It is highly recommended to book hotel and scenic spot tickets in advance.
• Dressing Appropriately: Due to the cold and dry winter in Beijing (with temperatures ranging from -5 ℃ to 5 ℃ during Chinese New Year), you are advised to wear warm clothing and anti-slip shoes. Moisturizing skincare products can also be carried.
• Smart Transportation: Beijing has developed transportation, and subway is the most convenient and swift way. Most attractions can be reached by subway.
• Dietary Health: During Chinese New Year, Beijing has many delicious foods. It is recommended to taste them in moderation and pay attention to food hygiene.
• During your Beijing tour, please pay attention to personal and property safety.
• When visiting temples or participating in temple fairs, please follow local customs and regulations.

Plan Your Beijing Winter Trip with China Xian Tour

Though winter is not peak season for Beijing, the Chinese New Year also attracts many tourists every year, so the tickets of trains and scenic spots are usually in a short supply. To ensure your Beijing tour will not be delayed, China Xian Tour can book the tickets for you. And we can also tailor an itinerary based on your needs no matter when you visit Beijing. Welcome to join our Beijing tours and enjoy a joyful and lively Chinese New Year!