China Public Holidays 2026: The Complete Traveler Guide
Planning a trip to China? One of the most important things to know is when the public holidays fall. Travel during a Chinese Golden Week and you will encounter crowds unlike anything you have seen.
Here is your complete guide to China public holidays in 2026 and 2027.
At a Glance: China Holidays 2026
| Holiday | Dates (2026) | Days Off | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year Day | Jan 1-3 | 3 | Low |
| Chinese New Year | Feb 16-22 | 7 | Extreme |
| Qingming Festival | Apr 4-6 | 3 | Medium |
| Labor Day | May 1-5 | 5 | Very High |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Jun 19-21 | 3 | Medium |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Sep 25-27 | 3 | Medium |
| National Day | Oct 1-7 | 7 | Extreme |
Use our interactive China Holidays Calendar to see exact dates and travel tips.
Chinese New Year 2026: Year of the Fire Horse
Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The official holiday runs February 16-22.
This is the most important holiday in Chinese culture:
- Chunyun: The 40-day travel rush sees over 3 billion passenger journeys
- Fireworks light up the entire country at midnight
- Temple fairs in Beijing feature traditional performances
- Red envelopes (hongbao) are given to children
- Many small restaurants close for the first 2-3 days
Book all transport weeks in advance. Trains sell out in seconds.
National Day Golden Week: October 1-7
- 700+ million trips are made by Chinese travelers
- The Great Wall sees over 100,000 visitors per day
- Hotels and flights cost 2-5 times normal prices
- Flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on October 1
Avoid top tourist cities October 1-3. Consider Yunnan, Guizhou, or Gansu instead.
Other Holidays
Qingming Festival (April 4-6)
Tomb Sweeping Day. Spring weather makes it popular for outings. Try qingtuan green rice balls.
Labor Day (May 1-5)
Third biggest travel rush. Book trains and flights weeks ahead.
Dragon Boat Festival (June 19-21)
Watch dragon boat races and eat zongzi sticky rice dumplings.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September 25-27)
Eat mooncakes, admire the full moon, and see lantern displays.
Best Times to Visit China
| Period | Crowds | Weather | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| March-April | Low-Medium | Spring, pleasant | Excellent |
| Mid-September | Low | Crisp autumn | Best weather |
| November | Low | Cooling | Good deals |
| Mid-October | Low after Golden Week | Autumn colors | Recommended |
| February (CNY) | Extreme | Cold | Cultural but packed |
| October 1-7 | Extreme | Pleasant | Avoid if possible |
Essential Travel Tips
- Book trains 15 days ahead - tickets sell out in minutes
- Use Trip.com for English-friendly booking
- Download offline maps - Google Maps is blocked
- Install a translator - ChinaPal AI works without VPN
- Arrive early for everything during holidays
- Take high-speed rail, do not drive
- Learn key phrases with our phrasebook
2027 Preview
- Chinese New Year: February 6, 2027 (Year of the Goat)
- National Day: October 1-7, 2027
Check the Live Calendar
Our China Holidays Calendar has exact dates, countdowns, crowd levels, and tips.
Traveling to China? ChinaPal AI provides free AI-powered text, photo, and voice translation that works without a VPN.
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