Complete Guide to China's Public Holidays in 2025

1. China's Holiday Travel: Culture vs. Crowds

Visiting China during traditional holidays lets travelers experience vibrant festivals like the Spring Festival's lantern displays and Dragon Boat Festival's races. These celebrations offer authentic cultural immersion through ancient traditions, special foods like mooncakes, and lively temple fairs unavailable year-round.

Yet peak seasons bring challenges. With 1.4 billion people traveling simultaneously, expect overcrowded attractions, overwhelmed transit systems, and spiking hotel rates. While culturally rich, these periods may overwhelm travelers preferring quieter exploration.

To help travelers make informed decisions, we've compiled a complete 2025 Chinese holiday calendar, enabling you to balance cultural experiences with comfort by choosing optimal travel dates. Whether you seek the full festive energy or prefer to avoid the biggest crowds, this guide will help you plan the perfect China Travel experience.

2. National Statutory Holidays Schedule

3. Detailed Holiday Introductions

New Year's Day (January 1, Wednesday)

Duration: 1 day
Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. While not as significant as traditional Chinese festivals, major cities host countdown events, parties, and shopping promotions. Many young people use this holiday for short trips or gatherings with friends.

Spring Festival (January 28-February 4)

Duration: 8 days
China's most important traditional holiday, welcoming the Year of the Snake in 2025. Key customs include New Year's Eve family reunions, red envelope gifts, fireworks, temple fairs, and watching the CCTV New Year's Gala. The 8-day holiday witnesses the world's largest annual human migration.

Qingming Festival (April 4-6)

Duration: 3 days
Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, this festival combines ancestor worship with spring outings. Families clean ancestral graves and make offerings, while also enjoying the spring scenery.

Labor Day (May 1-5)

Duration: 5 days
Originally a 1-day holiday, extended to boost domestic tourism. Many Chinese take advantage of this break for travel, making it one of the busiest tourism periods. Cities often hold worker recognition events.

Dragon Boat Festival (May 31-June 2)

Duration: 3 days
Commemorates poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). Traditional activities include hanging wormwood and wearing scented sachets to ward off evil. The festival marks the arrival of summer heat.

National Day & Mid-Autumn Festival (October 1-8)

Duration: 8 days
October 1 celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China with flag-raising ceremonies. The Mid-Autumn Festival (October 6) features mooncakes and family reunions under the full moon. This 8-day "Golden Week" is China's peak travel season.

School Holidays

Summer Vacation (Early July-Late August)

Duration: 6-8 weeks
Families typically plan extended trips during this period. Popular activities include summer camps, overseas study tours, and visits to mountain resorts or beaches to escape the heat.

Winter Vacation (Late January-Early February)

Duration: About 4 weeks
Coinciding with Spring Festival, students return to their hometowns for family reunions. Many participate in New Year markets, lantern festivals, and receive red envelopes from elders.