Chinese New Year 2027 checklist for expats: traditions, gifts and Year of the Horse prep

Chinese New Year 2027 (Year of the Horse) begins on January 29, marking one of Asia’s most significant celebrations. For expats, this is a unique chance to embrace local traditions—from home cleaning to auspicious gifts and family travel. This Chinese New Year 2027 checklist for expats ensures you cover every detail, from essential shopping to customs you can’t overlook, tailored to real timelines in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Taipei.

What this guide covers

Preparations starting 4 weeks ahead (cleaning, decor, shopping), travel and logistics (bookings, visas, transport), key traditions (red envelopes, family gatherings, symbolic dishes), and expat tips (where to shop, avoiding crowds, gift taboos). Everything organized so you don’t miss a thing during this festive season.

• Book train or flight tickets before January 20 (avoid price surges and sold-out seats)
• Buy ingredients for traditional dishes (whole fish, dumplings, nian gao) at local markets or Asian supermarkets (e.g., NTUC in Singapore, Wellcome in Hong Kong)
• Deep-clean the house (sweep away bad luck) and discard broken or unused items (avoid sweeping during the first days of CNY)
• Purchase red decorations (lanterns, 福 calligraphy, kumquat plants) at stores like Yue Hwa (Hong Kong) or Chinatown (Singapore)
• Order red envelopes (hóngbāo) with Year of the Horse designs at stationery shops or banks (avoid negative symbols)
• Prepare host gifts (premium tea, lucky fruit like mandarins, Chinese liquor) and avoid clocks, umbrellas, or sharp objects
• Confirm office and shop closures (January 28–February 3 in China; similar dates elsewhere in Asia)
• Withdraw cash from ATMs (many small businesses don’t accept cards during the holidays)
• Wash and iron new clothes (preferably red or gold) to wear on New Year’s Day
• Buy firecrackers or fireworks (check local laws: allowed in rural China, banned in Singapore)
• Prepare red envelopes with money for children and employees (even amounts, new bills, avoid the number 4)
• Cook symbolic dishes on New Year’s Eve (e.g., fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth) and leave leftovers for the next day
• Visit local temples (e.g., Man Mo in Hong Kong, Thian Hock Keng in Singapore) to pray for good luck on New Year’s Day
• Avoid cutting hair or using scissors during the first 15 days (may cut off good luck)
• Send New Year greetings to colleagues and friends (use phrases like 恭喜发财 or 新年快乐 on WeChat or WhatsApp)
• Plan visits to family or friends (prioritize Day 1 for close relatives, later days for friends)
• Book tickets for public events (lantern fairs, dragon parades) in advance (e.g., River Hongbao in Singapore)
• Check public transport schedules (reduced metro and bus hours during the holidays)
• Pack an emergency travel kit (masks, sanitizer, snacks) for potential airport or station delays
• Document traditions with photos or videos (share on social media with hashtags like #CNY2027 or #YearOfTheHorse)