Peak Period of Chinese New Year 2013 ?
 

I know the Chinese New Year for 2013 is Feb 10.
I may travel to China (just for transit though) around this
period and would like to avoid the peak period if possible.

Around which dates should I avoid travel "to China" and "from China" ?


(I did searches in this forum and could not find appropriate threads,
but sorry if such thread already exist).

I know that many of the factories I visit are starting their scheduled Chinese New Year shut down beginning January 31st.

More than a few seem to have picked February 3rd as shut down day. (not sure why)

Will be closed until give or take February 20th. (or whenever the labors decide to come back)

Quite a few offices are letting staff go home early to avoid the crazy rush.

International transit by flights? Not affected much if any by Chinese New Year, so if you are just going to transit one city for a few hours or a day, then it doesn't really matter. Many sights will be closed on Feb 10. And it will be noisy from Feb 9 through Feb 24-25. If your "transit" is actually an extended stopover, then I suggest trying to complete it before Feb 8, or arrive after Feb 17. Note that you may need a visa, depending on where you are entering/exiting and how long this "transit" (or stopover) is.

If you are not conducting business or trying to hold meetings during this time, there is no need to be concerned about factory shutdowns, office closures, and the like. Banks will be closed for a few days to one week after the 10th, so if coming during this time frame, make sure when you arrive, that you get RMB at the airport ATM's or exchange foreign bank notes for RMB. Cash machines get emptied quickly during long holidays and are not filled promptly.

Taiwaned and jiejie

Thanks for replying.
My concern is mostly in the congestion of the seat in flights to and from China
(likely PEK or such hub airports) around Feb 10. According to your responses,
however, it sounds like I don't have to be worried about it ?

They might return and find no factory...moved to SE Asia.:D

Flights to China (overseas Chinese returning home) would be more likely to be full than flights leaving China, but perhaps most full in the days up to Feb 10. Feb 10 itself and the next few days for inbounds should be less full, then fill up again as Chinese who went abroad for the holiday return back, generally around Feb 16 through 25. Outbound internationals leaving China will be heavier the week before Feb 10.

Really though, what's the point of worrying about something like this, assuming your travel is required and not discretionary? If you're trying to get more space for comfort or grab a last-minute upgrade, it's less likely this time of year. If you must travel and require a higher level of comfort, a confirmed premium cabin seat is a good idea. Remember that not only does Chinese New Year affect China, but there are also a lot of ethnic Chinese (and others) traveling to/through/from almost any other Asian air hub also.

Relax.