9 Top Places to Escape the Crowds at Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (January 29th, 2025) is the most celebrated festival in China. It is the time for family reunions, and most Chines people will travel to their ancestral homes for family gatherings during the 7-day public holiday (January 29th toFebruary 4th, 2025)
In recent years, holiday traveling to celebrate the New Year has become trendy, which makes Chinese New Year another crowded travel season. In 2021, more than 200,000,000 trips were made around and during the 7-day public holiday.
Where to escape the crowds while enjoying a top-drawer tour becomes the key question. Here are 9 top recommendations that will not disappoint you…
· Tiger Leaping Gorge
· Tibet
· Western Sichuan
· Guilin
· Zhangjiajie
· Wuyishan
· Dunhuang
· Chengdu
· Ningxia
1. Tiger Leaping Gorge: Hike amid Spectacular Scenery
Enjoy a bottle of beer after the hiking
· Suitable for: Energetic outdoor adventurers
· Duration: 1 or 2 days
· Suggested starting point: Lijiang
· Transportation: Bullet trains are easily accessible from Kunming and Dali. Flights are recommended from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Known as the deepest gorge in China (though a lesser-known gorge in Tibet is actually deeper), Tiger Leaping Gorge is a paradise for hikers. After visiting the lively Lijiang Ancient Town, you can reach Tiger Leaping Gorge with a 2-hour car ride to escape from the festive hustle and bustle.
During Chinese New Year, hiking along a Tiger Leaping Gorge trail will bring you an off-beaten-path experience. Hike on trails, breathe in the fresh air and embrace the stunning scenery.
You can discover spectacular views of the gorges from the steep 28 bends. Stay overnight at Halfway Guesthouse, and enjoy the panorama of the Jinsha River and a beautiful sunset at its viewing terrace. FYI, booking in advance is necessary as Halfway Guesthouse is quite popular.
2. Tibet — Holy Land on the Roof of the World
Pilgrims journey to Lhasa
· Suitable for: all ages
· Duration: 4 to 8 days
· Suggested starting point: Lhasa
· Transportation: Overnight trains from Xining (about 24 hours) are more advisable. Flights from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing are time-savers.
Tibet, known to many as the city of sunlight, is not as bitterly cold in winter as you might imagine. Thanks to the rich sunshine, you can see the snow-wrapped peaks clearer in winter, especially Mount Everest. Resting from farming/herding, many rural pilgrims journey to Lhasa, equipped with spinning prayer wheels and butter lamps.
In off-peak season, you are likely to get around CN¥4,000 off per person for an 8-day tour through airline and hotel promotions as well as zero entrance fees from December to Mid-March.