Is the highway toll-free during the Chinese New Year?
4 Answers
Highway tolls are waived during the Chinese New Year. Relevant details: 1. Regulations: According to the "National Annual and Commemorative Holiday Measures," as stipulated by the government, only during the holidays of the Chinese New Year, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day are tolls exempted for small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer (including seven seats). 2. Scope: The toll-free period starts at 00:00 on the first day of the holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day of the holiday (for ordinary roads, the time is determined by when the vehicle passes the toll booth lane; for highways, it is determined by when the vehicle exits the toll booth lane). "New Year's Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival" are not included in the toll-free periods, and no highway tolls are charged during other holidays.
Oh, when it comes to highway tolls during the Chinese New Year, I've got a lot to say. As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I clearly remember that every Spring Festival, the government offers a benefit—highways are generally free from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar new year. This is to make it easier for ordinary folks to travel home. Last year, I took my family from Beijing to our hometown in Hebei and saved nearly 200 yuan in tolls, which felt like a pretty good deal. That said, the roads get extremely crowded during the free period, often turning into a complete traffic jam, so I always leave a day early to avoid the rush. Also, not all highways and time slots are free—for example, tolls resume from the seventh day onward, so it's best to check the transport department's announcements or apps in advance. All in all, it's a convenient measure that makes holiday travel much easier, but it also reminds everyone to drive carefully—safety first.
From my personal driving experience, highways are often toll-free during the Chinese New Year period, especially around the Spring Festival, typically from the first to the seventh day of the lunar new year. As a young person who enjoys road trips, I frequently take advantage of this opportunity to travel to other places, saving a significant amount on toll fees. For example, last year when I traveled to Huangshan, the money saved was enough for a nice big meal. However, traffic congestion is severe during the toll-free period, and each trip ends up taking more time on the road. I recommend planning your route and schedule in advance. This policy is quite beneficial for ordinary families, facilitating reunions while reducing financial burdens. But be aware that the policy may undergo minor adjustments each year, so it's important to stay updated with official announcements or navigation app updates. Safe driving is paramount—don’t take shortcuts by driving at night to save time, as it could lead to problems.
I've driven with my kids during the Chinese New Year holiday a few times. The toll-free period on highways usually falls in the first few days of the Spring Festival holiday, such as from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar new year, which saves us a lot when returning home or traveling. I remember last year driving from Shanghai to Hangzhou to visit relatives, and our family saved several hundred yuan in toll fees, which was quite delightful. However, the roads are extremely congested during the free period, making it easy to get delayed, so I always check the peak hours in advance to avoid them, opting to depart early in the morning or at night. Although this policy makes travel easier for everyone, it's also important to pay attention to safety, such as bringing an emergency kit to avoid accidents. I recommend checking traffic information online in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
