2026

When to go

China's public holidays trigger massive domestic travel. Even a 3-day break can push hotel prices up 50% and fill trains overnight. Use this calendar before you book.

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School break
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
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Peak periods
New Year's DayJan 1–3Strong
🏨 +20–40% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 1–2 wks

A 3-day public holiday (Jan 1–3) and the year's first domestic travel bump. Short-haul trips and city breaks spike — book popular destinations 1–2 weeks ahead.

Winter School BreakMid-Jan – mid-FebSchool break
🏨 +20–40% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 2–4 wks

School holiday overlapping Spring Festival travel build-up. Northern ski resorts and southern warm-weather destinations see elevated demand throughout.

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)Feb 16–22Strongest
🏨 +80–120% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 60 days

The biggest travel surge of the year. Many local businesses close 1–2 weeks. Book trains the moment the 60-day window opens. Budget travelers should consider avoiding entirely.

Qingming FestivalApr 4–6Strong
🏨 +30–50% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 2–3 wks

A 3-day weekend that triggers heavy domestic tourism. Book accommodation in popular cities at least 2 weeks ahead.

Labor Day Golden WeekMay 1–5Strongest
🏨 +60–80% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 30 days

A 5-day holiday that rivals Golden Week in travel volume. Popular coastal cities, ancient towns, and national parks sell out fast.

Dragon Boat FestivalJun 19–21Strong
🏨 +30–50% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 2–3 wks

3-day festival. Crowds noticeably higher at water-related destinations — West Lake, Li River, and coastal areas in particular.

School Summer BreakJul 1 – Aug 31School break
🏨 +30–50% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 2–4 wks

China's peak family travel season. Coastal resorts, Tibet, Yunnan, and theme parks reach capacity. Not a fixed public holiday — July through August is reliably the busiest period.

Mid-Autumn FestivalSep 25–27Strong
🏨 +30–50% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 2–3 wks

3-day holiday (Sep 25–27 in 2026), separate from Golden Week this year. A reunion festival, so intercity trains and family destinations fill fast — book 2–3 weeks ahead.

Golden Week (National Day)Oct 1–7Strongest
🏨 +80–150% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 60 days

The single busiest week of the year. Every major tourist destination is at maximum capacity — book months ahead or plan around it. Note: in 2026 Mid-Autumn falls a week earlier (Sep 25), so the two holidays do not merge.

Christmas & New YearDec 24–31Strong
🏨 +30–60% hotel premium🎫 Book ahead: 3–4 wks

Not a Chinese public holiday, but a major vacation period for Western visitors — and increasingly celebrated in major Chinese cities. Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen see elevated hotel demand and festive pricing. Book accommodation 3–4 weeks ahead.

2027 public holiday dates will be added once officially announced (typically December 2026).