China Public Holidays 2025
China has 11 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 30 Jan | Thu | Spring Festival | public |
| 8 Mar | Sat | International Women's Day | public |
| 4 Apr | Fri | Qingming Festival | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 4 May | Sun | Youth Day | public |
| 31 May | Sat | Dragon Boat Festival | public |
| 1 Jun | Sun | Children's Day | public |
| 1 Aug | Fri | Army Day | public |
| 3 Oct | Fri | National Day | public |
| 6 Oct | Mon | Mid-Autumn Festival | public |
About China's Holidays
China blends modern public holidays and old cultural festivals. Some days follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar, so dates change each year. Big national breaks let people travel, visit family, and enjoy city celebrations and fireworks.
Many holidays focus on family, food, and seasonal customs. People clean graves, eat mooncakes, race boats, light lanterns, and have big reunion meals. The government sets official days off which sometimes combine into long weeks for travel and tourism around important festivals.
Traditional festivals come from centuries of history and regional customs. They mix folk beliefs, ancestor respect, and modern national pride. Together these holidays shape social life, tourism, and how families mark time in China.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in China are times for family, traditions, and community. People follow customs passed down through generations that mix old beliefs, local traditions, and modern ways of celebrating together.
Food is very important. Families cook special dishes with symbolic meanings like good luck, long life, or reunion. People share dumplings, rice cakes, noodles, sweet treats, and street snacks while talking and enjoying each other.
Families often gather to clean and decorate homes, visit ancestors, wear new clothes, and give red envelopes with money to children. These rituals show respect, hope, and care for family bonds.
Public celebrations fill streets with fireworks, lanterns, parades, temple fairs, music, and dances. Cities and villages light up, creating a joyful, noisy, colorful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
Travel Tips
China gets very busy around major holidays. Many shops and attractions may close or have shorter hours. Museums, government offices, and some restaurants sometimes shut for several days, so check opening times before you go.
Trains and flights sell out fast. Book tickets and trains as early as possible. Expect long lines at stations and airports. Local buses and taxis can be delayed, so leave extra time when traveling between cities.
Cities, tourist spots, and transit hubs become crowded. Big domestic travel peaks a few days before and after each holiday. Popular places fill up quickly and prices for hotels and transport rise.
Bring extra cash and digital payment apps. Keep ID and hotel confirmations handy. Be flexible with plans and allow extra travel time to avoid stress.