When making plans for a tour of China, some general knowledge about Chinese holidays can be useful to avoid transportation peaks and crowded tourist attractions. There are three kinds of public holidays in China: national holidays, holidays for some citizens, and the traditional holidays for Chinese ethnic groups.
All Chinese people take a vacation on the national holidays, which include New Year's Day (January 1st), Spring Festival (Lunar January 1st), Tomb-sweeping Day (April 5th), May Day (May 1st), Dragon Boat Festival (Lunar May 5th), Mid-Autumn Festival (Lunar August 15th), and National Day (October 1st).
In addition to these national holidays, there are also holidays for certain groups of citizens: Women's Day (March 8th), Youth Day (May 4th), Children's Day (June 1st), and Army Day (August 1st). These groups usually have half a day off for these holidays.
Ethnic groups in China have their own holidays according to tradition, such as the Tibetan Spring Festival (January 1st in Tibetan calendar), the Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai Nationality (14th to 16th of April, 24th to 26th day of the sixth month of the Dai calendar), and the Nadam Fair of the Inner Mongolian people (Between July and August).
For students and teachers, summer vacation usually falls in July and August, and winter vacation starts from the week before the Spring Festival and ends one week after the Spring Festival holiday.
Calendar of 2012 and 2013 Chinese Public Holidays
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Holidays
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Duration
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Date
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Holidays of 2012
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Holidays of 2013
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New Year's Day
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one day off for all citizens
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January 1
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Jan. 1- 3, 2012
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Dec. 30, 2012 - Jan. 1, 2013
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Spring Festival
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three days off for all citizens
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Chinese New Year's Eve, Lunar January 1st, 2nd
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It falls on Jan. 23, 2012. The holiday is from Jan. 22 to 28.
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It falls on Feb. 10, 2013. The holiday is from Feb. 9 to 15
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Tomb-Sweeping Day
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one day off for all citizens
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Around April 5
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It falls on Apr. 5, 2012. The holiday is from Apr. 5 to 7.
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It falls on Apr. 4, 2013. The holiday is from Apr. 4 to 6.
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May Day
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three days off for all citizens
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May 1st
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May 1 - 3, 2012
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Apr. 29 to May 1, 2013
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Dragon Boat Festival
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one day off for all citizens
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Lunar May 5th
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It falls on Jun. 23, 2012. The holiday is from Jun. 22 to 24.
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It falls on Jun. 12, 2013. The holiday is from Jun. 10 to 12.
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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one day off for all citizens
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Lunar August 15th
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It falls on Sep. 30, 2012. The holiday is on Sep. 30.
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It falls on Sep. 19, 2013. The holiday is from Sep. 19 to 21.
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National Day
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three days off for all citizens
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October 1st, 2nd,3rd
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Oct. 1 - 7, 2012
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Oct. 1 - 7, 2013
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Women's Day
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half day off for women
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March 8th
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half day of Mar. 8
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half day of Mar. 8
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Youth Day
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half day off for the youth above 14
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May 4th
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half day of May 4
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half day of May 4
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Children's Day
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one day off for children under 13
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June 1st
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Jun. 1, 2012
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Jun. 1, 2013
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Army Day
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half day off for active servicemen
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August 1st
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half day of Aug. 1
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half day of Aug. 1
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More China Tour Tips:
| Tipping in China | Bargaining | Business Hours in China | Travelers Cheques |
| Toilets in China | Complaints | Time Difference in China | Telephone Service |
Useful Resources: World Travel Options
