A tidal wave of international excitement is sweeping toward China’s Spring Festival. Social media abroad is ablaze with ‘China’s signature identity,’ as bookings for the 2026 celebrations explode. Air travel reservations to the country have quadrupled in many areas compared to last year, with Europe witnessing doublings. This surge exemplifies how outsiders are evolving from festival spectators into enthusiastic participants.
UNESCO’s 2024 recognition of the Spring Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage amplified its allure, spiking foreign interest by more than 50%. No longer confined to China, it’s a beacon of global culture. The 2025 visa-free expansions to 48 one-way and 29 reciprocal nations drove a near-50% rise in visitors, offering travelers deep dives into frozen Northeastern landscapes and Lingnan’s intangible treasures.
Overseas, the festivities pulse with life in about 20 nations granting it holiday status. Sydney showcases ‘fire horse’ installations in retail hubs, Paris features robotic parades, Spain fuses local flavors into events, and Brazil grooves to samba lion dances. What began as overseas Chinese rituals has woven into the fabric of local communities worldwide.
The festival’s magnetic pull stems from its embodiment of profound human values: joyful family gatherings, reflective year-end closures, and optimistic new beginnings. These elements transcend geography, uniting hearts across continents.
Powering this phenomenon is China’s ascendant cultural diplomacy. Topping global soft power metrics and advancing in governance perceptions, its model of open, stable growth inspires trust and admiration. The Year of the Horse heralds vigor and momentum, turning Chinese New Year participation into a trendy global pursuit, blending diverse traditions into a resonant celebration.