The most-traded April copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange edged up 0.4 percent to 42,070 yuan ($6,727) a tonne on Tuesday with traders winding down positions on the last full trading day before the Lunar New Year.
Chinese markets will be closed from Wednesday until next Tuesday, with many downstream users taking a longer-than-expected holiday due to fragile demand and ample supply.
Chinese funds that drove a copper sell-off that pushed prices to 5-1/2 year lows have said they are waiting to see how demand fares after the holiday before taking fresh positions.
"We don't see a lot turning around significantly after Chinese New Year," said analyst James Glenn of National Australia Bank in Melbourne.
"The chances of additional policy stimulus are probably increasing by the day. But we're unlikely to see a spending spree that is likely to significantly raise copper prices."