Lunar New Year in the Year of the Horse: from Shanghai to Singapore

If you are in the process of planning your next escape, consider this your curated guide to the most spectacular Lunar New Year celebrations across the globe – and the hotels, resorts, and destinations that will help you paint the town red.

China: The Spring Festival in full bloom

China can be considered the epicentre of the Lunar New Year, where every street, skyline, and dining room glows with festive energy.

Stay:

Famed hotels such as The Mandarin Oriental, Shanghai; The Ritz‑Carlton, Beijing; and the The Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong transform the season into a culinary spectacle. Their New Year’s Eve Nianye Fan banquets unfold in Michelin‑starred dining rooms, with rare ingredients, auspicious dishes, and impeccable wine pairings. Expect lacquered duck carved tableside, abalone slow‑braised to perfection, and desserts infused with gold leaf and centuries of tradition.

Do:

Guests enjoy private lion dance performances, bespoke cultural workshops, and intimate heritage tours led by expert historians. For a more exuberant celebration, Galaxy Macau becomes a dazzling playground of immersive installations, interactive ‘Shaking a Golden Lottery’ rituals, and luxury shopping experiences designed exclusively for the season.

A tropical retreat?

Prefer your festivities with ocean breezes? Sanya’s ultra‑luxury resorts, including The Sanya EDITION and Rosewood Sanya, offer private villas, secluded beaches, and curated New Year wellness programmes. Imagine sunrise tai chi, private banquets under the stars, and spa rituals inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.

Southeast Asia: culture and colour

Singapore: the ultimate one-stop destination

Singapore blends luxury, spectacle, and seamless service like nowhere else.

Stay:

Few Lunar New Year offerings are as iconic as a stay at Marina Bay Sands, which promises fine dining, rooftop celebrations, and panoramic views of the Marina Bay fireworks.

Do:

Book private suites for firework viewing, enjoy VIP access to exclusive Lunar New Year parties, and indulge in curated cultural experiences that bring the season’s traditions to life.

Vietnam: a heartfelt, heritage‑rich Tết

Tết in Vietnam is intimate, symbolic, and deeply heartfelt – a celebration of dear family, fortune, and fresh beginnings.

Stay:

Capella Hanoi and The Reverie Saigon curate Tết packages that blend tradition with modern luxury. Expect lavish banquets, live music, and private cultural tours through historic districts adorned with peach blossoms and red lanterns.

Do:

Guests can enjoy exclusive city tours, temple blessings, and hands-on cooking classes when they learn to master Tết delicacies like bánh chưng. It’s a rare chance to experience Vietnam’s most important holiday from within.

Malaysia: firecrackers, lanterns and fifteen days of festivities

Malaysia’s multicultural celebrations offer a vibrant, elegant twist on Lunar New Year.

Stay:

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang deliver VIP vantage points to view the fireworks, alongside festive dining packages

Do:

Stroll through lantern‑lit Chap Goh Mei celebrations, or arrange private heritage tours through historic neighbourhoods alive with music, colour, and festive rituals.

Korea and Taiwan: tradition meets modern luxury

Korea:

At Signiel Seoul, guests enjoy immersive Seollal experiences, from elegant hanbok fittings to private demonstrations of ancestral rites, all set against breathtaking skyline views.

Taiwan:

The Mandarin Oriental Taipei offers privileged access to lantern festivals, gourmet dining, and bespoke cultural programming that illuminates the magic of the Lunar New Year.

Australia: Sydney’s multicultural Lunar showcase

Sydney’s Lunar Festival (29 January-16 February) transforms the city into a vibrant tapestry of art, performance, and cuisine.

Stay:

The Langham Sydney, Park Hyatt Sydney, and Crown Towers Sydney offer premium festival‑view suites, gourmet dining, and exclusive cultural programming.

Do:

Savour New Year banquets at Spice Temple, Ho Jiak Haymarket, or The Langham’s Kitchens on Kent. For the ultimate celebration, charter a private yacht on Sydney Harbour and watch the fireworks shimmer across the water – a once‑in‑a‑lifetime vantage point.

North America: San Francisco’s cultural celebration

San Francisco hosts one of the largest and most historic Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia.

Stay:

The Fairmont San Francisco and The Ritz‑Carlton San Francisco offer curated packages with festival access, private dining, and cultural programming.

Do:

Enjoy the city’s multi‑week Lunar New Year Festival and Parade from private VIP stands, or opt for a sophisticated evening at the San Francisco Symphony’s Lunar New Year concert and banquet.

Europe: London’s grand Lunar stage

London’s Lunar New Year festivities are the largest in Europe, blending tradition with cosmopolitan flair.

Stay:

Stay at one of the city’s most iconic hotels, The Dorchester, celebrating in opulence at its China Tang restaurant, where 1930s Shanghai glamour meets exquisite Cantonese cuisine. Expect handcrafted dim sum, rare teas, and a dining room that feels like stepping into a film set.

Do:

From dragon and lion parades in Chinatown to live performances in Trafalgar Square and private cultural workshops in Leicester Square, London offers a refined yet vibrant way to welcome the New Year.

Where next?

Private charter has the power to transform Lunar New Year into a seamless, multi‑destination celebration. Hop between continents, chase the world’s most spectacular fireworks, or curate a personalised cultural itinerary that spans Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco, and London. 

The Year of the Horse invites boldness, prosperity, and unforgettable experiences – let ACS ensure you enjoy them all with comfort and exclusivity.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements with one of our experienced charter consultants, helping ensure your Year of the Horse starts with a roar.