QR Codes for Chinese New Year: Boost Your Holiday Campaigns

Using QR codes for Chinese New Year campaigns will undoubtedly convert leads and generate high revenue for your business.

You can add them to any advertising materials to reach more audiences. Once you do, your QR codes will lead users to a digitized campaign with a scan.

Your seasonal marketing efforts will achieve greater traction and interaction by doing this.

Business Insider expects the number of QR code users in the US to rise from 83.4 million in 2022 to 99.5 million by 2025.

Collaborating with a trustworthy QR code generator is the best way to create a marketing campaign that shines this upcoming Chinese New Year.

Step up your seasonal marketing campaigns with QR codes using this guide.

The Chinese New Year marketing trend

Before going in-depth on how to use QR codes in marketing for the holidays, here is everything you need to know about the Chinese New Year market:

Approximately 2 billion, or 25% of the global population celebrates the Chinese New Year (CNY).

Families travel back to their hometowns, food is shared, gifts are wrapped and given, and Chinese-run businesses close for a week or two.

For this reason, Chinese suppliers and investors might be hard to reach, causing delays in product and supply shipment, decreased production of goods, and low productivity rates.

However, marketers and other stores see this holiday as an opportunity to grow their business.

Marketers launch early, large-scale campaigns targeting the Chinese community about two to three weeks before the Lunar New Year.

In fact, the retail industry in China alone totaled over 821 billion yuan in the 2021 CNY week-long celebration.

Internationally recognized companies like Nike, Apple, and Starbucks also leverage the Chinese New Year’s gift-giving tradition.

In January 2018, Nike released CNY-themed shoes branded as the Kyrie 4, which gathered enough attention from the market.

During the 2021 CNY, Starbucks revealed its ox-themed kitchenware and personal items, such as drawstring pouches, teaspoons, bottles, mugs, and tumblers.

Considering these previously released CNY campaigns, it’s important to note how brands stick to the CNY theme and target a niche market for a successful campaign.

How do QR codes work in marketing?

QR codes serve as the digital portal of your offline marketing strategies, leading the target audience to your eCommerce site, social media profiles, custom promotional pages, video ads, and more.

They also help attract, convert, and retain customers, as these codes can engage users to interact with your campaigns.

Creating customized QR codes that align with your brand helps your customers and clients recognize your campaigns from your competitors’ deployed ads.

The best part is that QR codes are convenient and easy to create. You can use a free QR code generator online.

And when integrated into marketing collaterals, customers can quickly access your campaigns by scanning the QR code using their smartphones only.

QR code campaign ideas for Chinese New Year

Here are clever ideas on how you can use QR codes for Chinese New Year marketing campaigns this year:

Host a Chinese New Year countdown

A smart URL QR code that leads to a countdown timer creates excitement. Users can scan the code and track time until New Year’s Eve.

Imagine this: a beverage brand releases a limited-edition can design with a QR code linking to a countdown page. Scanning the code as the Chinese New Year approaches shows a live countdown.

At midnight, users see a celebratory animation with a virtual firework show, reinforcing the brand’s association with festive moments.

Chinese New Year letters

Adding a file QR code to letters links recipients to a personalized video, text greeting, or blessing.

By scanning the QR code, recipients can experience heartfelt messages beyond words on paper, creating a special and modern twist on traditional letters.

For example, a family-oriented brand or business may include a file QR code on traditional Chinese New Year letters sent to customers or employees.

The QR code leads to a warm, personalized video or a short written message expressing appreciation and sending well-wishes for the year ahead.

This digital touch adds a layer of sincerity to the letter, creating a modern keepsake that recipients can revisit.

Red envelopes for surprise discounts

Replace traditional red envelopes with QR codes. Instead of cash, these QR codes could link to digital coupons, gift cards, or promotional codes. Brands can even use them to offer discounts on select locations or limited-time offers.

For instance, a clothing brand offers festive red envelopes with smart QR codes at checkout. Customers scan their QR envelopes to reveal surprise discounts like “10% off,” “Free Shipping,” or even “Buy One, Get One Free.”

Each code is unique, giving customers a fun reason to return to the store or share their fortune on social media.

Engage on social media

You can use a link page QR code that directs users to a custom page that compiles all social media links in one place, making it easy for users to follow, like, or share.

Such an approach works well for festive campaigns where brands aim to increase social engagement and expand their reach with a simple scan.

Picture this: A fashion brand launches a New Year campaign encouraging customers to scan a QR code on promotional materials.

This QR code opens a custom landing page showcasing all the brand’s social media profiles, inviting users to follow, interact, or even participate in a photo challenge.

Users can explore product links, join exclusive live streams, and engage with New Year-themed posts across platforms, all in one scan.

Festive video greetings

Create QR codes that link to Chinese New Year greeting videos or animated wishes featuring New Year greetings and blessings for luck, prosperity, and health. You can even personalize these for customers and partners, adding a heartfelt touch.

For example, a global tech company can send Chinese New Year cards to clients with a video QR code.

Scanning the code reveals the CEO's short, personalized greeting, celebrating their partnerships and wishing clients success in the coming year.

The video is visually themed around the Chinese zodiac, making it culturally relevant and professional.

Chinese zodiac personality profiles

Generate QR codes that reveal fun facts or insights about the user's Chinese zodiac sign when scanned. This can be fun for customers, as they can learn more about themselves and share with friends. You could even integrate promotions based on their sign.

For instance, a cosmetics brand creates an interactive QR code on product packaging. Customers scan the code to discover unique insights or tips based on their zodiac signs, like a beauty tip matched to their personality traits.

This adds a playful touch to the brand's products and encourages customers to explore other products aligned with their zodiac animal.

Deliver daily fortunes

Like fortune cookies, each QR code could reveal a unique fortune, blessing, or tip for the year. This is perfect for brands encouraging repeat engagement, as customers can scan once daily to receive their “fortune of the day.”

Brands can use a custom QR code landing page to deliver fresh daily fortune or blessings. For example, a lifestyle blog includes QR codes on New Year-themed social media posts. Each code directs to a custom web page displaying different fortunes or sayings for the day.

Followers are encouraged to scan for their “daily fortune” and share it, adding a fun and interactive element to the blog’s holiday content while driving daily engagement.

Share virtual Chinese New Year recipes

Restaurants and food brands can use QR codes to share traditional Chinese New Year recipes, from dumplings to sticky rice cakes. This adds a cultural touch and encourages people to engage with the brand by cooking.

Food bloggers, for example, can include a file QR code on their blog site, directing users to PDF, JPEG, PNG, or video recipes for traditional dishes like dumplings and rice cakes.

Customers can scan the code, download the recipes, and try recreating these dishes at home while learning a bit about the cultural significance behind each dish.

Exclusive merchandise for personalized content

For retailers, create a limited-edition product line for Chinese New Year, each featuring a QR code that links to special offers, care instructions, or even a personal message from the brand.

For instance, a luxury tea brand releases a limited-edition set for Chinese New Year with a landing page QR code on the packaging.

When scanned, customers are taken to a personalized landing page with an introduction to the tea’s origins, tasting notes, and a message from the brand’s founder, creating a rich, personal experience with the product.

Revamp offline ads by going digital

QR codes and your display ads are a great pair. Your physical display ads grab your target audience’s attention, and QR codes lead them to a website where conversion happens.

Brands can place URL QR codes on billboards and banners around the city during the Chinese New Year. Passersby can scan the code to access a dedicated New Year sale page with exclusive offers and discounts.

This QR code bridges the gap between offline marketing ads and digital engagement, making it easy for users to explore products, sign up, or purchase on the spot.

Create a 'Find your lucky number' game

Create a QR code-based game where people scan to reveal their lucky number for the year. You could even tie prizes, discounts, or gifts to specific numbers, making the experience exciting and rewarding.

For example, a famous snack brand hosts a New Year campaign where each snack pack features a dynamic QR code.

When scanned, the QR code reveals a “lucky number” tied to a small prize or a discount, with some numbers leading to big prizes like gift cards.

Customers are motivated to scan and try their luck with each pack.

Set up a 'Year of the [Animal]' hunt

Organize a digital treasure hunt featuring text QR codes representing each Chinese zodiac animal. Participants can scan each animal's QR code to learn about its traits and history and unlock prizes by completing the collection.

Picture this: a shopping mall organizes a treasure hunt with QR codes placed throughout the space, each representing one of the 12 zodiac animals.

Shoppers scan each animal's QR code to learn its traits and history. Those who complete the hunt receive a special New Year’s gift or discount at select stores.

Make charity donations easy

Set up payment QR codes that allow people to make donations to charitable causes, focusing on bringing prosperity and good fortune to others. Position these prominently on websites, stores, or New Year’s greetings.

Imagine this, a local supermarket displays QR codes for payment at checkout counters for customers who wish to make a small donation to a local charity.

With just one scan, shoppers can donate directly and feel part of a community-driven cause during the New Year season.

Highlight loyalty programs

You can add a dynamic QR code to your store’s loyalty cards.

A retail store adds a QR code to their loyalty cards, allowing customers to scan and instantly view their current points, available rewards, and memorable New Year offers.

This streamlined access encourages customers to engage with the program more often, redeem rewards easily, and stay connected with the brand, all through a single scan.

A customer-centric loyalty program can promote your business through word of mouth, achieve customer retention, increase sales, and boost brand awareness.

Interactive New Year resolutions

Use a Google Form QR code where they can submit and save their New Year’s resolutions. Brands can use these submissions to send reminders or encouraging messages throughout the year, adding a personal touch.

For example, a wellness app uses a Form QR code for its wellness campaign. The QR code directs users to a form where they can write and submit their New Year’s resolutions when scanned.

The app sends monthly reminders and motivational quotes to help users stay on track and create an ongoing connection with them.

Create engaging online Chinese New Year games

With a QR code leading to an interactive online game, brands can captivate audiences with a themed game based on traditional New Year elements.

For instance, a retail brand creates unique online Chinese New Year games and links them to a dynamic QR code on product packaging, posters, or digital ads.

The festive, themed games can be a digital Mahjong match, a lucky spin-the-wheel, or a ‘find the hidden lanterns’ challenge.

Top players or random participants receive prizes or special discounts. Since it’s a dynamic QR code, the link can be updated with new game versions or seasonal features, keeping users engaged and eager to play each time they scan.

Brands can also make a custom form QR code to lead customers to a simple Chinese New Year quiz.

AR fireworks experience

Offer an augmented reality (AR) experience with a QR code that brings fireworks or dragon dances to life on the user’s device. This virtual celebration can immerse customers in the spirit of the New Year, even if they can’t attend a live event.

For example, a travel agency prints or displays a smart QR code on its New Year’s campaign, inviting users from different regions to scan it. Depending on their time or location, users see different AR fireworks displays.

This interactive experience encourages engagement and prompts viewers to share it on social media for a chance to win a holiday package.

How do I create a special QR code for the Chinese New Year?

You can easily create your CNY QR code campaigns using QR TIGER’s all-in-one QR code platform.

To generate a QR code, here’s what you should do:

1. Open QR TIGER online and log in or sign up for an account.
2. Select a QR code solution that best suits your campaign.
3. Input the required information.
4. Select between Static or Dynamic QR.
5. Click the Generate QR code button.
6. Customize the QR code campaign according to your branding and theme.
7. Run a test scan to check for errors and Download.

Want to learn more? Visit Learn with QR TIGER for guides on creating festive, on-point Chinese New Year QR codes.

QR codes for Chinese New Year real-life use cases

Chinese New Year QR codes are being creatively integrated across different countries to add convenience, enhance experiences, and celebrate traditions in a modern way.

Singapore DBS’ QR code red packets

DBS bank in Singapore veered away from traditional red envelopes and introduced the QR code-adorned red packets to PayLah! users.

The DBS PayLah! Users aged 13 years old and above can load up to $999 into their QR code red packets, which they can send and gift to their families and friends.

Recipients can scan the QR code using the PayLah! in-app QR code scanner and quickly redeem the cash.

Yuan Xiao Festival QR codes in China

Yuan Xiao, also known as the Lantern Festival, marks the first full moon and the end of the Chinese New Year celebration.

During this vibrant celebration, people light lanterns with riddles written on them and display them in their houses and the neighborhood.

Anyone who answers correctly gets to receive a small gift.

However, in February 2019, Hebei Province in China upscaled their Yuan Xiao Festival with QR-coded lanterns.

Everyone can answer the riddles written on the lanterns and earn prizes by scanning the QR codes with their smartphones.

Thailand welcomes Chinese travelers with audio QR code guides

Thailand’s tourism sector is gearing up for the expected surge of Chinese travelers visiting the country this Chinese New Year.

One of their most visited sites had Chinese signs and QR codes for assisted audio guides.

Tourists can scan the QR codes using their phones and immediately access audio introductions and descriptions about a particular area.

Malaysia's 'e-Ang Pao' initiative for a greener Chinese New Year

Several Malaysian banks introduced 'e-Ang Pao' services, enabling users to send digital red packets through QR codes instead of paper.

This eco-friendly twist lets users send cash gifts seamlessly through their banking apps, with the recipients scanning a QR code to redeem their Ang Pao.

Use the best QR code generator for a thriving Chinese New Year campaign

Holidays are the peak season for any business, so it’s important to amp up your marketing and always be ahead of your competitors.

Prep and launch your campaigns weeks before the CNY to ensure that your target market will see your ads. This also allows your potential customers ample time to shop in your stores before the date arrives.

Incorporate compelling marketing QR codes for Chinese New Year to make your campaigns more effective and convenient. This is the key to establishing a marketing campaign that truly converts.

To experience how QR codes can boost your business this CNY, check out our free ebooks and resources and effectively create your QR code-based campaign today.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a QR code for China?

For a QR code that works effectively in China, it’s best to use a reliable generator based in the country. QR TIGER’s dynamic QR codes are an excellent choice, as they are compatible with WeChat and other popular Chinese platforms.

Host your QR code content on a site or service accessible in China. Use a localized landing page for guaranteed access.

Does China use QR codes?

Absolutely. In China, people use QR codes daily for transactions, advertising, social media, and personal IDs.

Platforms like WeChat and Alipay make QR codes essential for payments. At the same time, businesses and individuals use them for various purposes, from payments to website links and contact sharing.

What is the Chinese ritual for the New Year?

Chinese New Year is a time to honor ancestors, ward off evil spirits, and pray for blessings like a good harvest.

Beyond China, it’s widely celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide. Festivities include lion and dragon dances, temple fairs, flower markets, and many other vibrant activities.