Gau Tao festival, Shanghai

Condé Nast TravelerNov 13, 2025

From Shanghai to San Francisco, these are the most festive ways to celebrate Lunar New Year.

H'mong families celebrate with rituals, music, dance, games

15 things in this story

Ditan ParkSightLargest and oldest temple fair in Beijing
Old Summer PalaceSightTemple fair features ice skating performances
Guangzhou Water Flower MarketMarketLocals sell fresh blooms aboard flower boats
Terracotta ArmySightLegendary attraction in the ancient city of Xi'an
Wall Lantern FestivalFestivalLights line the over eight-mile stretch of the city wall
Tết Nhay festivalFestivalHeld by the Red Dao community, highlights traditional dance
Gau Tao festivalFestivalH'mong families celebrate with rituals, music, dance, games
Long Tong festivalFestivalShared event among Tay, Dao, Xa Pho, and H'mong ethnic groups
Gyeongbokgung PalaceSightRent hanbok for free entrance and royal K-drama fantasies
National Folk Museum of KoreaMuseumLocated on Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds
ChinatownNeighborhoodLargest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia
grand paradePlaceFeatures elaborate floats, lion dancing, and a huge dragon
Chinatown street fairMarketVendors sell fruits, flowers, charms, and plenty of food
DisneylandTheme park
Namsangol Hanok VillageSight

Gau Tao festival