By Kuben Chetty

As 2025 begins, the world once again turns its gaze toward China for one of the globe’s most widely celebrated cultural traditions: the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. In recent statements, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson invited international visitors to partake in the festivities—a gesture that underscores China’s eagerness to share its rich heritage on a global stage. This year, the United Nations has also issued a special stamp sheet to mark the Year of the Snake, highlighting not just the cultural depth of this festival but its growing global influence.

Chinese New Year, which typically takes place in late January or early February, marks the start of the lunar calendar. It is a period of renewal, rooted in centuries-old customs and stories. The Chinese zodiac, a system that assigns each year to an animal sign, plays a major role in how families across China (and increasingly around the world) celebrate. From house cleaning rituals to elaborate family reunion dinners, these traditional practices are meant to usher in good fortune and ward off ill luck. With UNESCO recently acknowledging the Spring Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, global fascination with this tradition has risen substantially—even Croatian experts have weighed in on its powerful cross-cultural influence.

Across China, various activities have already begun to welcome the Spring Festival. Vibrant flower markets, dazzling lantern displays, and lion dance troupes fill city streets and rural towns alike. These events are increasingly drawing foreign tourists, many of whom are eager to experience first-hand the striking visual and auditory sensations of the Chinese New Year—firecracker displays, parades, and of course, the hearty banquets.

From a South African perspective, the Chinese New Year’s message resonates with our own diverse cultural celebrations. In many ways, Spring Festival mirrors South African gatherings that focus on family, community, and the shared hope for future prosperity. Just as we see an uptick in cultural tourism during events like the Cape Town Carnival, China is anticipating a significant influx of travellers. This tourism boost is not only an economic boon, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange—a chance for visiting tourists to taste, see, and feel the vibrancy of Chinese traditions, while sharing their own stories back home.