Travel Guides
China Public Holidays Travel Guide
A full guide to China's public holidays for travelers: dates, crowd levels, booking impact, price changes, and how to plan around peak periods.
Published 2026-06-14 · Updated 2026-06-14 · By Travel Tips for China Editorial Team
Quick answer
China's biggest travel peaks are Spring Festival, Labour Day, and National Day. Avoid them unless you book hotels and trains well ahead and accept higher prices and crowds.
Major holidays that affect travel
- Spring Festival: late January to mid-February, the world's largest human migration.
- Labour Day: early May, five-day window with heavy domestic travel.
- National Day: early October, Golden Week, peak tourism across the country.
- Mid-Autumn Festival: September or October lunar date, one to three days.
- Dragon Boat Festival: May or June lunar date, shorter window but busy on key routes.
How holidays change prices and bookings
Hotel rates can double or triple in popular destinations during Golden Week and Spring Festival. High-speed train tickets sell out within minutes. Attractions fill to capacity. Plan your worst-case alternative before you travel during any of these windows.
How to plan around holidays
Arrive a few days before the holiday starts or a few days after it ends to catch lower prices and thinner crowds. If you must travel during a holiday, book transport and accommodation the moment reservations open, and choose second-tier cities over Beijing and Shanghai.
Conclusion
Use this guide with the site tools to turn general advice into a concrete plan. Before paying for anything non-refundable, verify live prices, official rules, transport availability, and holiday schedules.
Useful tools
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FAQ
What is the worst time to visit China?
National Day week and Spring Festival are the most crowded and expensive. Avoid them unless you book well in advance.
Are all businesses closed during Chinese New Year?
Many small businesses close for several days, but major hotels, international chains, and tourist services remain open.