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China Public Holidays Calendar

See 2026 China public holidays, crowd levels, booking difficulty, hotel price impact, and advice for tourists.

2026 China public holidays for travel planning

New Year's Day

January 1-3, 2026

Crowd level

Medium

Booking: Easy to moderate

Hotel impact: Low to medium

Fine for city breaks, but book central hotels early for Shanghai and Beijing.

Chinese New Year / Spring Festival

February 15-23, 2026

Crowd level

Extreme

Booking: Very difficult

Hotel impact: High in major cities and family travel hubs

Avoid complex routes unless visiting family or you already have tickets and hotels.

Qingming Festival

April 4-6, 2026

Crowd level

High

Booking: Moderate

Hotel impact: Medium

Good spring weather, but expect busy trains and day-trip destinations.

Labor Day

May 1-5, 2026

Crowd level

Extreme

Booking: Difficult

Hotel impact: High

Book far ahead or choose quieter neighborhoods and less famous sights.

Dragon Boat Festival

June 19-21, 2026

Crowd level

High

Booking: Moderate

Hotel impact: Medium

A short holiday; train tickets and scenic waterfront areas can fill quickly.

Mid-Autumn Festival

September 25-27, 2026

Crowd level

High

Booking: Moderate to difficult

Hotel impact: Medium to high

Moon-viewing and family travel are popular. Keep transfers simple.

National Day Golden Week

October 1-7, 2026

Crowd level

Extreme

Booking: Very difficult

Hotel impact: High

The toughest week for independent travel. Reserve transport and hotels early.

Dates are planning references from the 2026 public holiday schedule. Verify travel-critical plans before booking. Source: China Briefing summary of the State Council 2026 holiday notice.

How to use this tool

Use this tool as an early planning layer before you book hotels, train tickets, attraction slots, or mobile data. China travel details can change by city and season, so use the output as a practical estimate and verify anything that affects visas, money, or non-refundable bookings.

Important notes

  • Holiday schedules and adjusted working days should be checked before final booking.
  • Train tickets, flights, and central hotels sell out faster around peak holidays.
  • If you must travel during Golden Week, reduce city changes and book earlier.

Last updated: 2026-06-14

FAQ

What is the hardest China holiday for tourists?

National Day Golden Week and Spring Festival are usually the hardest because transport, hotels, and major attractions can be extremely crowded.

Should I avoid all public holidays in China?

Not always. Short holidays can work if you book early and keep the route simple, but first-time visitors should avoid complex transfers during peak weeks.

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