Public Holidays

China’s public holidays are paid days off for workers. Schools do not hold classes on these days. Public holidays can be very difficult to travel in. Travellers should buy tickets and book accommodation well in advance for these periods. During the Spring Festival it can be almost impossible to travel if one doesn’t plan ahead.

Tourist destinations are also quite crowded during many public holidays, especially the longer ones. Chinese people use holidays as an opportunity to sightsee and get out with their families. Keep this in mind when making travel plans.

Here is a list of dates for public holidays in 2009:

New Year, January 1 – 3: This is the New Year according the western calendar, not the Chinese New Year.

Spring Festival, January 25 – 31: Also known as Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival marks the lunar New Year according to the traditional Chinese calendar. This is a time when Chinese families go home and spend time together; people do their best to come from all over China (and even abroad) to see relatives.

Tomb Sweeping Day, April 4: This is a day for honoring ancestors and cleaning the gravesites of the deceased. In addition it is also a popular time for family outings.

Labor Day, May 1: Like Labor Day in other countries, the Chinese Labor Day has its roots in workers’ rights movements.

Dragon Boat Festival, May 28 – 30: This day commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who committed suicide after trying to save his kingdom. Boat races are held and a sticky rice $snack called zongzi is eaten.

National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, October 1 – 8: National Day celebrates the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, while Mid-Autumn Festival is a day to celebrate family. The two have been combined because they fall very close to each other.