Millions across Asia celebrated the Lunar New Year on January 29, marking the transition from the Year of the Dragon to the Year of the Snake.
In China, the 2025 Spring Festival offers eight consecutive public holidays, a time for families to reunite, share meals, enjoy traditional performances, and set off fireworks and firecrackers.
Train stations and airports across the country have been overwhelmed for weeks as millions of people returned home for the holidays, contributing to what is expected to be a record-breaking migration.
High streets, shopping malls, offices, and homes in East and Southeast Asia, including South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, are adorned with red banners, believed to ward off evil spirits.
🇨🇳 Drone show in China to celebrate Chinese New Year pic.twitter.com/KnBpZijhIM
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) January 29, 2025
The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is the most significant holiday in China and other parts of Asia, celebrated with feasts and family gatherings. The 15-day festival starts with the new moon, between January 29 and February 27, and ends with the full moon.
Humanoid robots dance to folk tunes on China’s New Year festival
Humanoid robots from Chinese robotics company Unitree wowed audiences with an impressive dance performance at the annual Spring Festival Gala of the Year of the Snake.
As many as sixteen robots, dressed in northeastern Chinese style floral padded jackets, performed the traditional Yangge dance, a folk dance performance from northeast China, in perfect time with human dancers from China’s Xinjiang Art Institute. Audiences were blown away by the performance that blended cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology.
Record-breaking travel in China
China’s transportation system said it was bracing for the busiest day of the Spring Festival travel rush, with a record 190 million passengers expected to travel on Chinese New Year’s Eve on January 28, 2025. The ministry said 253 million people travelled on various forms of transport on Monday.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang instructed transport officials to be alert and prepared for potential emergencies disruptions from cold weather in much of China, including a blizzard that has swept across the north.
The Spring Festival travel rush for this year is scheduled to take place from January 14 to February 22. In mainland China, the 40-day travel period surrounding the Lunar New Year is expected to see 9 billion interprovincial passenger trips. Train and air travel are set to reach record highs, according to Xinhua news agency.
Temple visits in Taiwan
In Taiwan, on the morning of the New Year, people from all walks of life visited temples to make offerings of fruit, sweets, and crackers, while praying for a prosperous year ahead.
Chen Ching-yuan, 36, who visited Longshan Temple in Taipei with her mother, explained, “There’s no need to ask for anything specific, just wish for a smooth, peaceful, safe, and healthy year.”
Lin Yu-soon, 73, also shared that the tradition of visiting the temple provided spiritual solace. Some temple-goers participated in the tradition of being the first to release incense, a symbol of good fortune.
“While I’m still young and have the energy, it’s the perfect time to take action,” said Kao Meng-shun, after winning the race at Fusing Temple in Yunlin County.
Weather disruptions in South Korea
Meanwhile, in South Korea, heavy snowfall disrupted travel schedules nationwide. Passengers at Seoul’s main train station were seen carrying gifts and luggage, preparing for their journeys to visit family. Traffic authorities warned that the trip from Seoul to Busan could take over seven hours, a significant delay from the usual four-hour journey.
Chinese New Year festivities
In 2025, celebrations begin on January 29 and run until the Lantern Festival on February 12, with the public holiday lasting until February 4.
Chinese zodiac: The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, and 2025 marks the start of the Year of the Snake, which follows the Year of the Dragon.
Pre-new year preparations: Homes are cleaned to remove bad luck, debts are settled, and new clothes and Spring Festival couplets are prepared.
New year’s eve traditions: Families visit ancestors’ graves, then gather for a reunion dinner, with dishes like dumplings and rice cakes. Red envelopes with money are exchanged, and fireworks are lit.
Lantern festival: The celebrations end with the Lantern Festival, where lanterns light the streets, and riddles and poems entertain.