How to travel during the New Year in Taiwan
- MK
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Taiwan has two calendars: the Gregorian calendar and the lunar calendar. The Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth's revolution around the sun, which is one revolution per year. The lunar calendar is based on the Earth's orbit around the sun, which is divided into 24 equal parts. Therefore, the New Year in Taiwan is the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, and the night before is called New Year's Eve, which is the same as Christmas Eve. On New Year's Eve, people worship their ancestors and gods, and in the evening, the whole family gathers together for a New Year's Eve dinner. This year, the New Year will be on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
In Taiwan, the dishes served at the Lunar New Year's Eve dinner each carry a symbolic meaning. After dinner, it's time to give out lucky money (red envelopes). The amount in the red envelopes must be an even number. Firecrackers are set off at midnight to welcome the New Year. From January 1st to 4th, there are various activities planned, and sweeping is forbidden, as it symbolizes sweeping away wealth. Sweeping is allowed on January 5th. The Lunar New Year celebrations last until the Lantern Festival on January 15th, marking the complete end of the Lunar New Year festivities.
In Asian culture, red represents good fortune and auspiciousness, so it's the most commonly seen color during the New Year. Red envelopes are always given with money in red paper bags. Before the New Year, people buy New Year's goods, such as food, candy, peanuts, and melon seeds, to store at home. Dihua Street is the largest New Year's goods market in Taipei. If you visit Taipei before the New Year, you're sure to find something worthwhile at Dihua Street.
If you travel to Taiwan during the Lunar New Year, please note that the day before the New Year is Lunar New Year's Eve and January 1st. Many restaurants will be closed during this time, so you'll have to go to 7-Eleven or FamilyMart convenience stores to buy food. Restaurants will gradually reopen starting from January 2nd. If you have Taiwanese friends, you may be invited to their homes for New Year's Eve dinner. Remember to say auspicious words, and you should have a very enjoyable meal.
Where to go for Chinese New Year in Taiwan? Nearly two-thirds of the population in northern Taiwan leaves for the south during the New Year, so Taipei is less crowded. However, the further south you go, the more crowded it gets, and queuing can be difficult. In Taipei, you can visit Ximending, Shilin, Yangmingshan, Tamsui, Jiufen, and Beitou.
In the evening, we recommend going to Ximending, Wanhua Longshan Temple, Ningxia Night Market, and Shilin Night Market to enjoy delicious food.