Planning your travel in 2026? Whether you're heading home for family reunions or seeking quiet holiday escapes, this guide breaks down all the official public holidays in China — plus leave strategies and destination ideas to make the most of your time off.
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2026 China Public Holidays Overview
Here’s the confirmed list of national holidays in Mainland China for 2026. Some include "weekend shifting" to create longer breaks — perfect for travel planning!
Holiday | Dates | Make-up Work Days |
New Year's Day | January 1 - 3, 2026 | January 4, 2026 |
Spring Festival | February 15 - 23, 2026 | February 14 & 28, 2026 |
Qingming Festival | April 4 - 6, 2026 | No make-up arrangements |
Labor Day | May 1 - 5, 2026 | May 9, 2026 |
Dragon Boat Festival | June 19 - 21, 2026 | No make-up arrangements |
Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25 - 27, 2026 | No make-up arrangements |
National Day | October 1 - 7, 2026 | September 20 & October 10, 2026 |
How to Maximize Your China Holidays: Smart Leave Strategies for Extended Breaks
Want to turn 3–5 day holidays into extended getaways? Here’s how you can plan your leaves for maximum time off:
Holiday | Predicted Public Holiday Dates | Recommended Leave Dates | Total Vacation Duration | Strategy Tip |
New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Fri, Jan 2 | 4 days (Jan 1 - 4) | Take 1 day for a 4-day weekend. |
Chinese New Year | Mon, Feb 16 - Wed, Feb 18 (3-day core) | Thu, Feb 19 - Fri, Feb 20 | 10 days (Feb 13 - 22) | Add 2 days after the holiday to avoid the return rush. |
Qingming Festival | Sat, Apr 4 - Mon, Apr 6 | Tue, Apr 7 - Fri, Apr 10 | 9 days (Apr 4 - 12) | Use 4 days off for a 9-day break. |
Labour Day | Fri, May 1 - Sun, May 3 | Mon, May 4 - Tue, May 5 | 5 days (May 1 - 5) | A simple 2-day extension creates a solid break. |
Dragon Boat Festival | Thu, Jun 18 - Sat, Jun 20 | Mon, Jun 21 - Fri, Jun 24 | 9 days (Jun 18 - 26) | Bridge the following weekend with 4 leave days. |
Mid-Autumn Festival | Sun, Sep 17 - Tue, Sep 19 (concurrent with National Day?) | TBD (See National Day) | TBD | May be combined with National Day for a super holiday. |
National Day | Thu, Oct 1 - Sun, Oct 4 (core) | Mon, Oct 5 - Fri, Oct 7 | 10 days (Oct 1 - 10) | If separate from Mid-Autumn, use 3 days for a 10-day break. |
National Day "Golden Week" | Sat, Sep 26 - Sun, Oct 10 (if combined) | Mon, Oct 11 - Fri, Oct 15 | 16 days (Sep 26 - Oct 11) | If combined, this becomes the ultimate vacation window. |
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China Holidays Travel Essentials
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Where to go during China Holidays: Mainland China Travel Guide
Recommended City Travel Guide
China Public Holidays 2026– New Year's Day (January 1)
The first day of the year is a one-day holiday. Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai often host countdown parties and fireworks, though many people prefer quiet gatherings or short trips.
Travel Tip: Visit Harbin for its famous Ice and Snow Festival — perfect for winter lovers.
China Harbin Ice And Snow World
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Flights to Harbin
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Join a countdown party on New Year’s Eve to enjoy fireworks displays and pop concerts!
China Public Holidays 2026 – Spring Festival (February 15 - February 23)
China’s most important holiday. Millions travel to reunite with families. Traditions include:
- Reunion dinner with dumplings or tangyuan
- Red envelopes for children
- Fireworks, temple fairs, and TV galas
Travel Tip: Most people return home — if you stay in the city, enjoy peaceful parks and empty streets.
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Making and eating dumplings is a very popular Spring Festival tradition in China!
China Public Holidays 2026 – Qingming Festival (April 4-6)
Known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. People honor ancestors and enjoy outdoor springtime activities like hiking or kite flying.
Travel Tip: Head to Chengdu for its laid-back vibe and world-class Sichuan cuisine.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
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During the Qingming Festival, families would visit their ancestors’ tombs to present offerings and clean up the gravesites.
China Public Holidays 2026 – Labor Day (May 1-5)
Labor Day, also known as May Day, is a day dedicated to the achievements and contributions of workers to society. It was established as a national holiday in 1949 by the People’s Republic of China. Many Chinese celebrate this event by meeting friends, visiting theaters, traveling or joining any activities they enjoy. Do grab this opportunity to explore new places in China!
Travel Tip: Suzhou’s water towns offer a slower pace with gardens, canals, and classic architecture.
Shantang Street
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Labor Day is dedicated to the achievements and contributions of workers to society
China Public Holidays 2026 – Dragon Boat Festival (June 19 - June 21)
Commemorates poet Qu Yuan. Celebrate with:
- Dragon boat races
- Sticky rice dumplings (zongzi)
- Cultural performances
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Both sweet and savory glutinous rice dumplings are must-haves during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Recommanded Travel Destinations on Dragon Boat Festival:
#1 Yalong Bay: Book a sunny break in Sanya, Hainan Island for beach resorts and seafood feasts.
#2 Yuehe Historic District: Taste Jiaxing authentic fresh pork zongzi, and strolling along the acient street.
#3 Li River: enjoy misty river vies on bamboo raft, join villagers in Guilin to fold Zongzi by yourself.
China Public Holidays - Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 25 – Sept 27)
Traditions:
- Lantern displays
- Mooncake gifting
- Family reunions under the full moon
Recommended Travel Destinations on Mid-Autumn Festival
1. Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Highlight: "West Lake on the 15th of October" is not as good as "West Lake on the Mid-Autumn Night". Boating on West Lake, one can enjoy the breathtaking scenes of "Autumn Moon over Flat Lake" and "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon". The moon in the sky and the moon in the water complement each other, creating an unparalleled artistic conception.
- Mid-Autumn Festival activities: Besides moon-gazing, you can also taste West Lake lotus root starch and Longjing tea, and experience seasonal lake crabs in Hangzhou cuisine.
2. Guilin, Guangxi
- Highlight: "The landscape of Guilin is the best under heaven." On the Mid-Autumn night, take a boat on the Li River to enjoy the moon, watching the moonlight fall on the karst peaks and the ripples of the Li River, just like a Chinese ink-wash painting.
- Mid-Autumn Festival activities: Xiangshan Park and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area are usually the official venues for moon-gazing events, with a strong atmosphere.
China Public Holidays 2026 – National Day (Oct 1- Oct 7)
This “Golden Week” is China’s longest public holiday which marks the founding of the People’s Republic.
To help you plan your perfect trip, here's our Golden Week travel guide to China's top cities:
Golden Week in Shanghai: Top Attractions & Festival Activities
Shanghai is fast, flashy, and full of contrast. From high-rise towers to old-world charm, this is where you’ll find some of China’s best Golden Week photo spots, street snacks, and scenic walks—all in one trip.
Bund Sightseeing: Huangpu River Cruise
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Golden Week in Beijing: Top Attractions & Festival Activities
If you want to walk through the heart of China’s imperial history, nowhere beats Beijing. This city offers ancient palaces, towering gates, and stone-paved courtyards—all set against a modern skyline.
The Palace Museum Tickets
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Golden Week in Xi'an: Top Attractions & Festival Activities
Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in China, and during Golden Week, it puts on show—light displays on the city wall, performances in the old town, and food markets running late into the night.
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum Tickets
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- 2-Day Xi'an Discovery: Emperors to City Walls
- Explore Xi'an Xianyang in 6 Days: A Journey Through History
Golden Week in Chengdu: Top Attractions & Festival Activities
Chengdu brings together everything people love about southwest China: adorable pandas, historic temples, slow mornings, and streets full of tea and tradition. Golden Week here feels festive but never rushed.
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- 3-Day Chengdu Adventure: Pandas to Ancient Wonders
- 5-Day Chengdu Adventure: Pandas to Ancient Wonders
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The National Day Holiday is a week-long holiday that takes place on the first week of October every year
Other China Holidays 2026
Lantern Festival (Mar 3)
Qixi Festival (August 19)
Double Ninth Festival (October 29)
Source: Yang Yu/ unsplash
Celebrate the Double Ninth Festival with some Chrysanthemum liquor!
FAQs about China Holiday 2026
How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in 2026?
Chinese New Year in 2026 starts on Tuesday, February 17th, and official public holidays in China run from February 16th to February 22nd, though celebrations can last up to 15 or 16 days, ending with the Lantern Festival on March 3rd. The celebration period includes a 7-day official holiday break and traditions can continue for the full 15 or 16 days.What is the Chinese calendar for 2026?
The Chinese calendar for 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which begins on February 17, 2026, with Chinese New Year, and ends on February 5, 2027. The year is specifically the Fire Horse year. It is a year of mixed fortunes, with challenges in areas like love, finances, and health, but opportunities for growth through humility and collaboration.What are the three biggest holidays in China?
- Lunar New Year.
- Dragon Boat Festival.
- Mid-Autumn Festival.
What day is New Year's day in 2026?
New Year's Day 2026 will be on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The year is also designated as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists by the UN, focusing on sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. Globally, New Year's Eve celebrations will occur on December 31, 2025, and many will observe traditional activities like fireworks, parties, and making resolutions.