Planning a China trip without checking its national holiday calendar is the fastest way to end up in a sea of people with prices double what you expected. China's public holiday schedule for 2026 was officially released by the State Council in November 2025, and there are several critical dates you need to know before booking tickets.
China Public Holidays 2026: Complete List
Based on the official announcement by the General Office of the State Council China on November 4, 2025, there are 7 national holidays observed throughout China in 2026. With weekend adjustments, citizens enjoy a total of 13 days off.
| Holiday | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1–3 | 3 days |
| Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) | February 15–23 | 9 days |
| Qingming Festival | April 4–6 | 3 days |
| Labor Day | May 1–5 | 5 days |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 19–21 | 3 days |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25–27 | 3 days |
| National Day (Golden Week) | October 1–7 | 7 days |
Important note: To create extended holidays, the government designated several weekends as makeup working days. In 2026, these dates are January 4, February 14, February 28, September 20, and October 10. For travelers, this means major cities might feel quieter than usual on these weekends since many locals are working.
The Most Critical Peak Periods to Watch Out For
Not all national holidays impact foreign tourists equally. These two periods are the most critical and most influential on travel comfort, from crowds to prices to ticket availability.
Spring Festival: February 15–23, 2026
Spring Festival 2026 runs nine consecutive days, with Lunar New Year falling on February 17 (Year of the Horse). The actual impact extends far longer through Chunyun (春运), a mass travel wave lasting 40 days from around February 2 to March 13, 2026, estimated to generate 9.5 billion domestic trips.
What you need to prepare for:
- High-speed train tickets can sell out within minutes of booking opening
- Many restaurants and small shops close for an entire week
- Airports and train stations operate at capacity limits
- If you want to experience Lunar New Year atmosphere, pick one city and stay there without moving around
National Day Golden Week: October 1–7, 2026
Golden Week in October is China's peak domestic tourism season most relevant to foreign tourists, with 888 million domestic trips in eight days based on 2025 data. The Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Terracotta Warriors can be full from morning with entry queues reaching two hours.
What you need to know:
- Hotels in late September are about 20% cheaper than during Golden Week
- Airfares can be 30% more expensive early in the period
- Book hotels and flights at least 3–4 months ahead
- Quieter alternative destinations: Yunnan, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia
Labor Day May 1–5: Mid-Level Crowds Often Underestimated
Comfortable spring weather in May actually makes Labor Day busier than many travelers expect, especially at nature destinations like Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, and Yellow Mountain. Prices rise significantly though not as severely as the two main golden weeks—the easiest solution is scheduling your visit after May 8–9 when crowds have thinned.
Three Short Holidays: Qingming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn
These three create three-day extended weekends with far lower crowding than golden weeks. Qingming (April 4–6) is usually busy at parks and nature destinations as people enjoy spring weather; Dragon Boat (June 19–21) is worth visiting to see boat races in cities like Hangzhou and Guangzhou; Mid-Autumn (September 25–27) falls separately from October Golden Week, with a four-day gap before October's crowds return.
Best Times to Visit China Outside Peak Periods
Three recommended time windows for foreign tourists:
- Mid to late March: after Chunyun ends, weather turns warm, destinations aren't crowded
- April after the 7th: full spring season, flowers blooming, normal prices
- Early to mid-September: best autumn weather, blue skies, well before Golden Week crowds
November and December are also solid choices with competitive accommodation prices. Southern destinations like Yunnan, Guangzhou, and Hainan remain pleasant during these months.
Practical Travel Tips for China: Holiday Calendar Considerations
Several important notes to remember when planning your China trip based on the 2026 holiday calendar:
- Book train tickets ASAP: China high-speed train tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. During golden weeks, slots sell out within hours—use the official 12306 platform or trusted travel agencies.
- Attraction tickets must be booked online: The Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and many major sites now require online reservations with timed slots. During national holidays, slots disappear well before the actual dates.
- Government offices and banks close: All national holidays shut down administrative services and banking. Complete any documentation needs before holiday periods.
- Bring digital payment options: Alipay and WeChat Pay now support international cards—activate before departure to avoid relying on ATMs with long queues during golden weeks.
Data sourced from official announcements by the General Office of the State Council China (November 4, 2025), confirmed by China Briefing, MSA Asia, and The Chinese Language Institute (CLI).
