Open Chinese Culture Data API — Free JSON Endpoints

How to use: All endpoints are plain HTTPS GET requests. Response is JSON with CORS open. Cache the response client-side — data changes rarely. For high-traffic use, mirror the JSON files yourself (they're MIT-licensed).

Endpoints

GET /api/chinese-new-year.json

Chinese New Year dates 2020–2035 with zodiac sign, element, and Lantern Festival date.

{
  "years": {
    "2027": {
      "date": "2027-02-06",
      "lantern_festival": "2027-02-20",
      "zodiac": "Goat",
      "element": "Yin Fire"
    }
  }
}

GET /api/festivals.json

8 major Chinese festivals with dates 2025–2028, Chinese names, and descriptions.

{
  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "mid-autumn",
      "name": "Mid-Autumn Festival",
      "name_zh": "中秋节",
      "emoji": "🥮",
      "dates": { "2026": "2026-09-25", "2027": "2027-10-15" }
    }
  ]
}

GET /api/zodiac.json

All 12 Chinese zodiac signs with traits, lucky numbers, lucky colors, and 2027 fortune.

{ "signs": { "Goat": { "zh": "羊", "traits": [...], "lucky_numbers": [2,7] } } }

GET /api/lucky-numbers.json

Lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture, with reasons — plus lucky numbers by zodiac sign.

{
  "lucky": { "numbers": [2,6,8,9] },
  "unlucky": { "numbers": [4,7] },
  "by_zodiac": { "Goat": [2,7], "Dragon": [1,6,7] }
}

GET /api/gift-taboos.json

10 common gift taboos in Chinese culture — item, reason, severity (high/medium/low).

{
  "taboos": [
    { "item": "Clock", "zh": "钟", "severity": "high",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'attending a funeral' (送钟/送终)" }
  ]
}

Usage Examples

JavaScript / fetch

fetch('https://chinesefortunetools.online/api/chinese-new-year.json')
.then(r => r.json())
.then(d => console.log(d.years['2027']))

Python

import requests
r = requests.get('.../api/festivals.json')
data = r.json()

cURL

curl https://chinesefortunetools.online/api/chinese-new-year.json | python3 -m json.tool

Attribution (optional)

Data from ChineseFortuneTools.online — not required but appreciated.

Data Sources & License

All data is CC0 (public domain) — use freely in commercial or personal projects with no attribution required.
Source: github.com/daligao/year-of-goat-2027 — star the repo if it saved you time.
Data accuracy: CNY dates verified against HK Observatory lunar calendar. Festival dates 2025–2028.