National Holidays in China
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There are seven official Public holidays in mainland China. There was a major reform in 2008, abolishing the Labour Day Golden Week and adding three traditional Chinese holidays (Qingming Festival, Duanwu Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival). A feature of mainland Chinese holidays is that people are often required to work at weekends in lieu of weekday holidays.
Occasion | English name | Chinese name | Dates (2010) | ||
January 1 | New Year | 元旦 | Fri 1-Sun 3 January | ||
1st day of 1st lunar month | Chinese New Year | 春节 | Sat 13-Fri 19 February | ||
5th solar term (April 4 or April 5) | Qing Ming Festival | 清明节 | Mon 5 April | ||
May 1 | Labour Day | 劳动节 | Mon 3 May | ||
5th day of 5th lunar month | Dragon Boat Festival | 端午节 | Mon 14-Wed 16 June | ||
15th day of 8th lunar month | Mid-Autumn Festival | 中秋节 | Wed 22-Fri 24 September | ||
October 1 | National Day | 国庆节 | Fri 1 October-Thur 7 October[ | ||
Note on duration and 2010 dates: Most sources in China count the total number of days off (including statutory holidays, transferred days and weekends), which is important for Chinese people working a seven-day week. for example a holiday on a Friday is always announced as a three day holiday (Friday-Sunday). The table above does not count weekends.
Traditional Holidays in China
Date | English name | Local name | Remarks |
January 1 | New Year | 元旦 | |
1st day of 1st lunar month | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | 春节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
15th day of 1st lunar month | Lantern Festival | 元宵节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
2nd day of 2nd lunar month | Zhonghe Festival (Dragon Raising its Head) | 中和节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
March 8 | International Women\'s Day | 国际妇女节 | |
March 12 | Arbor Day | 植树节 | Also known as National Tree Planting Day (全民义务植树日) |
5th Solar Term (usually April 4–6) | Qingming Festival (Chinese Memorial Day) | 清明节 | Based on the Jieqi Qingming. |
May 1 | Labour Day | 劳动节 | International Workers\' Day |
May 4 | Youth Day | 青年节 | Commemorating the May Fourth Movement |
June 1 | Children's Day | 六一儿童节 | |
5th day of 5th lunar month | Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwujie) | 端午节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
July 1 | CPC Founding Day | 建党节 | Formation of 1st National Congress on July 1, 1921 |
July 11 | China National Maritime Day | 中国航海日 | The anniversary of Zheng He's first voyage |
August 1 | Army Day | 建军节 | Nanchang Uprising (南昌起义) on August 1, 1927 |
7th day of 7th lunar month | Double Seven Festival | 七夕 | The Chinese Valentine's Day, based on Chinese calendar |
15th day of 7th lunar month | Spirit Festival (Ghost Festival) | 中元节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
15th day of 8th lunar month | Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) | 中秋节 | Based on Chinese calendar |
October 1 | National Day | 国庆节 | Founding of PRC on October 1, 1949 |
9th day of 9th lunar month | Chongyang Festival | 重阳节 | Based on Chinese calendar. |