Public Holidays in China (2026 & 2027): A Guide to Avoiding the Crowds

China has a population of around 1.4 billion. During public holidays, tourist sites can become extremely crowded. Hotel and flight prices rise sharply, wait times at attractions can go from 10 minutes to 2 hours, and popular spots are often packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Even locals—who are used to busy environments—often find it overwhelming.

So when planning your trip, it’s best to avoid the following dates:

China Public Holidays 2026

• New Year: Jan 1 (Thu) – Jan 3 (Sat)
• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): Feb 15 (Sun) – Feb 23 (Mon) ⭐ Major holiday
• Qingming Festival: Apr 4 (Sat) – Apr 6 (Mon)
• Labor Day Holiday: May 1 (Fri) – May 5 (Tue) ⭐ Major holiday
• Dragon Boat Festival: Jun 19 (Fri) – Jun 21 (Sun)
• Mid-Autumn Festival: Sep 25 (Fri) – Sep 27 (Sun)
• National Day Holiday: Oct 1 (Thu) – Oct 7 (Wed) ⭐ Major holiday

China Public Holidays 2027

• New Year: Jan 1 (Thu) – Jan 3 (Sat)
• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 13 (Sat) ⭐ Major holiday
• Qingming Festival: Apr 3 (Sat) – Apr 5 (Mon)
• Labor Day Holiday: May 1 (Sat) – May 5 (Wed) ⭐ Major holiday
• Dragon Boat Festival: Jun 9 (Wed)
• Mid-Autumn Festival: Sep 15 (Wed)
• National Day Holiday: Oct 1 (Thu) – Oct 7 (Wed) ⭐ Major holiday

Additional Tips

School Holidays Also Bring Crowds

Summer Vacation (July–August)
- Visit popular attractions on weekdays, and save less popular spots for weekends
- If you plan to hike, start early in the morning, if you go late, cable car wait times can easily reach 2 hours

Winter Vacation (usually ~2 weeks before to ~2 weeks after Chinese New Year) Northern China:
- Cold weather keeps visitor numbers relatively low
- Exception: places like Harbin, and anywhere during Chinese New Year
Southern China:
- Warmer weather attracts large numbers of travelers escaping the cold
- Especially busy in Sanya, Guangzhou, and nearby regions