China observes seven official holiday periods in 2026 — two matter most for travel planning
These are the official public holidays of the People's Republic of China (PRC), published yearly by China's State Council. For 2026: New Year, Spring Festival, Qingming, Labor Day, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and National Day.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and National Day (Golden Week) are the two that most affect transport, crowds, and small-business closures for tourists.
2026 official holiday schedule
| Option | Dates | Length | Travel impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1–3 | 3 days | Minor for tourism — most businesses stay open. |
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | February 15–23 | 9 days | The biggest one — see our dedicated Chinese New Year travel guide. |
| Qingming Festival | April 4–6 | 3 days | Moderate domestic travel bump; a family tomb-sweeping holiday. |
| Labor Day | May 1–5 | 5 days | A real domestic travel peak — book transport and hotels ahead if you overlap it. |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 19–21 | 3 days | Moderate; regional dragon boat races draw local crowds in some cities. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25–27 | 3 days | Moderate domestic travel bump; a family holiday. |
| National Day (Golden Week) | October 1–7 | 7 days | The other big one — see our dedicated Golden Week guide. |
New Year's Day
- Dates
- January 1–3
- Length
- 3 days
- Travel impact
- Minor for tourism — most businesses stay open.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
- Dates
- February 15–23
- Length
- 9 days
- Travel impact
- The biggest one — see our dedicated Chinese New Year travel guide.
Qingming Festival
- Dates
- April 4–6
- Length
- 3 days
- Travel impact
- Moderate domestic travel bump; a family tomb-sweeping holiday.
Labor Day
- Dates
- May 1–5
- Length
- 5 days
- Travel impact
- A real domestic travel peak — book transport and hotels ahead if you overlap it.
Dragon Boat Festival
- Dates
- June 19–21
- Length
- 3 days
- Travel impact
- Moderate; regional dragon boat races draw local crowds in some cities.
Mid-Autumn Festival
- Dates
- September 25–27
- Length
- 3 days
- Travel impact
- Moderate domestic travel bump; a family holiday.
National Day (Golden Week)
- Dates
- October 1–7
- Length
- 7 days
- Travel impact
- The other big one — see our dedicated Golden Week guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do these dates come from?
China's General Office of the State Council, in an official notice on 2026 holiday arrangements published 2025-11-04. See the official source below.
Which holidays matter most for a tourist trip?
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, Feb 15–23) and National Day / Golden Week (Oct 1–7) are the two big ones for transport crowding and small-business closures. The others are milder.
Do these dates apply to future years too?
No — this page covers 2026 only. China's holiday calendar is published fresh each year, and Spring Festival's date shifts with the lunar calendar. Check for an updated schedule when planning a different year.
Are these the only public holidays in China?
These are the nationally observed public holiday periods from the official notice. Some regions and ethnic groups observe additional local holidays not covered by this national schedule.
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