Avoid Chinese Public Holidays
Most Chinese people travel during public holidays. During these periods, tourist sites are extremely crowded and hotel prices go up significantly. It is wise to plan your trip around these dates.
The table below reflects the official 2026 public holiday schedule, subject to the latest announcement by China’s State Council. Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change every year.
| Holiday | Dates |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 (Thu) – Jan 3 (Sat) |
| Chinese New Year (around the 1st day of the 1st lunar month) | Feb 15 (Sun) – Feb 23 (Mon) |
| Qingming Festival | Apr 4 (Sat) – Apr 6 (Mon) |
| Labor Day | May 1 (Fri) – May 5 (Tue) |
| Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month) | Jun 19 (Fri) – Jun 21 (Sun) |
| Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar month) | Sep 25 (Fri) – Sep 27 (Sun) |
| National Day | Oct 1 (Thu) – Oct 7 (Wed) |
July and August are also peak travel months due to school summer holidays, so expect larger crowds during this period. If you do travel in these windows, book trains as early as you can — see how to book 12306 train tickets.
Choose the Right Time Based on Your Destination
Before picking your travel dates, look up the typical weather at your destination — average monthly temperatures, rainy days, and sunny days from previous years are easy to find online.
Here are the recommended travel windows for major cities, for reference only:
| City / Destination | Best Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Apr – mid Jun, Oct – Nov | Comfortable temperatures |
| Beijing | Apr – May, Sep – mid Oct | Comfortable temperatures |
| Dec – Feb | Off-season, fewest tourists, chance to see the Forbidden City in snow | |
| Shenzhen | Avoid May – Sep | Hot and humid, typhoon risk |
| Chongqing / Chengdu | Mar – May, Oct – Nov | Comfortable temperatures |
| Zhangjiajie | Apr – mid Jun | Pleasant spring scenery, but frequent rain |
| Sep – Nov | Leaves turn golden, great autumn views | |
| Yangshuo | Sep – Nov | Cool weather, low rainfall, clear river water |