As lanterns light up streets across the Chinese mainland, a record number of international visitors are experiencing Lunar New Year festivities firsthand this February. What began as viral social media fascination with Chinese traditions has evolved into a full-fledged cultural movement, fueled by relaxed visa policies and digitally native curiosity.
Travel agencies report a 40% year-on-year increase in holiday bookings from Europe and Southeast Asia, with many tourists opting for immersive experiences like making dumplings with Beijing families or attending temple fairs in Shanghai. "After watching 'Becoming Chinese' documentaries online, I wanted to feel the reunion dinner warmth myself," said Marie Dubois, a French teacher celebrating in Xi'an.
The trend aligns with China's cultural tourism push, leveraging platforms like Douyin to showcase regional customs. Analysts note the economic ripple effect: hotel occupancy rates near historical sites have reached 95%, while traditional craft workshops report tripled overseas orders.
For the Asian diaspora, these celebrations offer renewed connections. "Teaching my American-born children ancestral traditions here feels different," shared Malaysian-Chinese engineer Lee Wei. As fireworks paint skies from Chengdu to Guangzhou, this global embrace of Lunar New Year signals deepening cross-cultural engagement in 2026.
