Chinese New Year 2027 Preparation: Essential Checklist for Expats in Asia

Chinese New Year 2027 (Year of the Rabbit) starts on January 29, marking one of Asia’s most significant celebrations. For expats, early preparation is key to navigating business closures, local customs, and mass travel disruptions. This Chinese New Year preparation checklist for expats 2027 covers everything from Lunar New Year gifts to Chinese New Year travel tips, tailored to real deadlines in cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, or Taipei.

What this checklist includes

From purchasing meaningful gifts to booking transport during Chunyun (the world’s largest human migration), this guide addresses pre-holiday errands, hosting etiquette, food stockpiling, and handling office or bank closures. Perfect for expats who want to celebrate smoothly without last-minute surprises.

Import this checklist into Foco to assign due dates and priorities. Use Panorama mode to view all your tasks (work and personal) at once, or switch to Focus mode to see only Lunar New Year preparations. Sync with Google Calendar or Outlook to track deadlines alongside your events.

• Confirm office and supplier closure dates (usually announced 2-3 weeks in advance)
• Book train or flight tickets for Chunyun travel (popular routes sell out by December)
• Purchase traditional gifts for hosts (e.g., red envelopes, lucky fruits like mandarins or apples, or premium tea)
• Prepare red envelopes (hongbao) with crisp new bills for employees, children, or service staff
• Deep-clean your home before January 25 (avoid sweeping on New Year’s Day to prevent 'sweeping away good luck')
• Decorate your entrance with red lanterns, lucky calligraphy (福), and plants like bamboo or plum blossoms
• Stock up on non-perishable food (supermarkets close for 3-5 days; include longevity noodles and fish for abundance)
• Settle all debts before New Year’s Day (avoid lending or borrowing during the first few days)
• Plan family dinner menus (reserve restaurants 1 month ahead; popular venues close)
• Buy new clothes (preferably red or gold) to wear on New Year’s Day
• Check public transport schedules during the holidays (metro and buses reduce services in cities like Hong Kong or Singapore)
• Prepare an emergency travel kit (masks, snacks, power bank, and digital copies of documents)
• Learn key Mandarin or Cantonese phrases for visits (e.g., 恭喜发财 'Gōngxǐ fācái' for congratulations)
• Coordinate with neighbors or local friends to receive packages during delivery service closures
• Review travel insurance coverage if leaving the country (some policies exclude Chunyun travel)
• Download local transport (Didi, Grab) and payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay) in case international services fail
• Set reminders to top up public transport cards before ticket counters close
• Arrange a backup plan for medical appointments or urgent errands (hospitals and pharmacies have reduced hours)