Today marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse according to the Chinese calendar. The New Year celebrations in China are expected to last for a record-breaking nine days, offering families a chance to reunite and travel during this festive period. This year's holiday is particularly notable due to the massive number of anticipated journeys, with authorities predicting that around 9.5 billion trips will be made by Chinese citizens over the course of the New Year festivities, lasting 40 days in total.

The Chinese New Year is steeped in tradition, and many customs are observed during the celebrations. One such custom is the belief that washing one’s hair on New Year's Day is considered unlucky. The act is thought to wash away good fortune and future prosperity, causing many to refrain from doing so. The reverence for these traditions reflects the cultural significance of the New Year, as it is viewed as a critical time to start fresh and attract positive outcomes for the year ahead.

As families gather and travel during this period, the economic and social impacts are substantial. The travel surge not only reinforces familial bonds but also boosts local businesses and the broader economy. The success of the celebrations and the adherence to traditions like avoiding hair washing signify the importance of the holiday in Chinese culture and its role in shaping societal values around familial unity and prosperity.