6 must-visit cities in China for Chinese New Year 2026 (4)

Quanzhou city, southeast China's Fujian Province

Quanzhou is one of China's most atmospheric places to spend the Chinese New Year. This Spring Festival, the city will roll out a festive cultural tourism program blending centuries-old traditions with a lively modern vibe to create a truly Minnan-style (southern Fujian) holiday celebration.

One highlight not to miss is the spectacular "cai jie" street parade, a vibrant folk tradition dating back to the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), when locals would gather during the New Year season to sing, dance, and celebrate together.

During the festival, parade troupes will sweep through Quanzhou's most iconic streets and neighborhoods, including Zhongshan Road and Xunpu village, bringing the city into full celebration mode. With over 200 "cai jie" performances across 12 key areas, the streets will become a moving stage of drums, costumes, and joyful crowds.

This year, Quanzhou will also recreate a historical celebration, bringing to life the bustling scenes of the city's Maritime Silk Road era when the city thrived as a hub of international trade and overseas exchange.

Beyond the parades, Quanzhou offers visitors a full menu of hands-on and immersive experiences. Visitors can join DIY intangible heritage workshops, learning traditional crafts such as wood carving, paper art, and lantern making, turning Minnan memories into something you can take home. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of traditional arts can dive into Quanzhou's cultural depth through nonstop opera and music performances. More than 300 shows of Gaojia Opera, Liyuan Opera, and Nanyin will be staged throughout the season, offering a rare chance to hear, see, and feel Minnan's thousand-year elegance come alive.

People participate in a "cai jie" street parade in Quanzhou city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo courtesy of the Quanzhou Municipal Government's official website)