Quick answer
China has two major “Golden Week” holiday periods (Spring Festival and National Day) when domestic travel reaches extreme levels, plus several shorter holidays. Prices rise significantly during these periods, attractions sell out, and transport is heavily booked. If possible, avoid traveling during the EXTREME crowd periods.
Disclaimer: Holiday dates are set by the State Council of China. Dates below are based on the standard schedule and should be verified against the official State Council notice when published. Make-up workdays (调休, weekends converted to workdays) are announced annually and may vary.
2026 public holidays
| Holiday | Chinese | 2026 Dates (tentative) | Duration | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 元旦 | Jan 1 | 1 day | LOW |
| Spring Festival | 春节 | ~Feb 15-23, 2026 (approx 9 days; verify) | ~7-9 days | EXTREME |
| Qingming Festival | 清明节 | ~Apr 4-6, 2026 | 3 days | HIGH |
| Labor Day | 劳动节 | May 1-5, 2026 | 5 days | EXTREME |
| Dragon Boat Festival | 端午节 | ~Jun 19-21, 2026 | 3 days | MEDIUM-HIGH |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | 中秋节 | ~Sep 25-27, 2026 | 3 days | HIGH |
| National Day | 国庆节 | Oct 1-7, 2026 | 7 days | EXTREME |
Crowd level guide
- EXTREME (Spring Festival first days, National Day Oct 1-7): All major attractions, transport, and hotels at or beyond capacity. Advance booking essential for everything. Prices rise significantly. Queues can be long at major sites. Not recommended for first-time visitors who dislike crowds.
- HIGH (Labor Day May 1-5, Qingming): Major domestic travel period. Popular attractions very crowded. Transport requires advance booking. Prices rise.
- MEDIUM-HIGH (Dragon Boat, summer school holidays July-August): Moderate to significant crowds. Booking recommended for popular hotels and trains.
- LOW/QUIET (winter Dec-Feb excluding Spring Festival, March before Qingming, November after National Day): Normal tourism levels, best availability and prices.
What to expect during peak holidays
- Transport: Train tickets go on sale 15 days before departure and sell out quickly for popular routes. Flight prices rise significantly. Book flights and trains as early as possible.
- Hotels: Prices rise significantly during Golden Weeks. Book well in advance.
- Attractions: Major attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Zhangjiajie, West Lake, Jiuzhaigou) sell out their online quotas days in advance. Advance booking is ESSENTIAL.
- Spring Festival note: Many small/local restaurants and businesses close for 3-10 days around Chinese New Year. Major tourist sites, hotels, and large restaurants generally stay open. Chunyun (春运) — the annual migration around Spring Festival — is the largest annual human migration on earth, spanning ~40 days.
Best times to visit (least crowded)
- Late November to early December (after National Day, before winter deepens)
- March (before Qingming, weather improving)
- Early September (after summer holidays, before National Day)
Important notes for foreign visitors
- Book early for Golden Weeks: Train tickets 15 days ahead; flights and hotels weeks/months in advance for National Day and Spring Festival.
- Check make-up workdays: During holiday periods, some weekends become normal workdays, which affects business hours and traffic.
- Visa-free entry still applies during holidays, but expect longer immigration queues.
- Weather varies by season: National Day (early October) has generally pleasant autumn weather; Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) is cold in the north, mild in the south.
- Verify dates: Holiday dates and make-up workday arrangements are announced by the State Council, typically in November/December for the following year. Always verify against the latest official notice.
Sources
Holiday dates are based on the standard State Council schedule pattern. Verify the exact dates for 2026 on the Chinese government’s official website (english.www.gov.cn) or the State Council notice when published.