How to choose when to visit Shanghai around Chinese New Year to avoid crowds and high air fares?
I'm traveling to Shanghai from New York (JFK) over the last few weeks of January, most likely during Chinese New Year. Ideally I would like to avoid crowds as well as buy flight tickets at a relatively cheap price.
Are there particular times (eg days of the week) I should avoid?
Best Answer
Chinese New Year (CNY) is a major holiday of roughly a week (+ a weekend usually) and traditionally used by the millions of migrant workers in China to come home and visit their families, but also by many to go on a nice vacation abroad. Travel during this period can often be crowded as ...
So without any further input you will want to avoid to travel out of China at the onset of CNY or nor want to travel to China right when CNY ends. From Chinahighlights:
Most people will return to work on Sunday February 3 or Monday February 4 in 2017.
That being said it seems you are lucky as airfare from JFK to PVG looks pretty much normal around USD 700 right now over the whole period with only a slight increase around the end of CNY. Just choose your dates based on the prices you find in flight search.
Then be aware that many places (restaurants, bars and shops) in Shanghai will be closed for the holidays. I am not sure for tourist activities. Also expect mind-numbing fireworks for hours without end on CNY eve.
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What is the best time of year to visit Shanghai?
The best time to visit Shanghai is from October to November. This short autumn season boasts comfortable temperatures and lacks the crowds and rain showers of summer \u2013 the peak tourism season. Winter travelers can encounter chilly weather, making urban exploration less enjoyable.What is the best time to visit China weather wise?
The best time to visit China is during spring or fall. The weather tends to be warm and dry during these periods, in contrast to the bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers experienced in much of the country.Is Chinese New Year a good time to visit China?
So for travelers seeking to take their time at China's landmarks, Chinese New Year is definitely not the time to visit. While many big shops and chains remain open during Chinese New Year in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, many places in China will close for at least a couple days or even a week.What is the busiest travel season in China Why?
Chinese New Year Transportation Rush The Chinese New Year period is the most crowded travel season in the world, when all of China's transportation modes (trains, flights, and buses) are over capacity. Most of China is on the move. The Chinese New Year rush lasts for 40 days.THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT SHANGHAI
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