Understanding the Chinese holiday calendar is extremely important for companies collaborating with China. Knowing the schedule of public holidays is especially crucial if you work in logistics. The impact of the Chinese calendar on this industry is significant as it determines the global transportation schedule.
The Chinese people view celebrations as an opportunity to meet with loved ones and spend time together. It is advisable to not only wish them health and prosperity on these special days but also respect their traditions by refraining from sending emails or business communications.
Holidays in China, particularly their dates, are determined by the lunisolar calendar, which means some of them are movable.
Chinese Holidays in 2024
Below is a list of all holidays with an indication of public holidays in China.
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) – Falls between January and February. It is the most important holiday in China. During this time, the Chinese traveled to visit relatives who often lived in very distant parts of the country. Work stoppages can last very long, even a whole month. The celebrations of the Spring Festival end after 15 days with the Lantern Festival.
Date: February 10, 2024
Public holidays: February 9 – 15, 2024
Tree Planting Day – Celebrated every year on March 12. The holiday aims to promote afforestation and environmental protection. It was established in 1979 in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, who died on March 12, 1925.
Date: March 12 every year
Public holidays: No public holidays
Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) – Involves paying tribute to ancestors. During this time, families clean graves and leave offerings. At the graves, relatives burn paper money, phones, cars, clothes, and food.
Date: April 4, 2024
Public holidays: April 4 – 5, 2024
Labor Day – Celebrated on May 1, similar to many other countries around the world, including Poland. This holiday is an opportunity to honor the contributions of workers to the country’s development.
Date: May 1 every year
Public holidays: April 29 – May 1, 2024 (depending on the year and government decisions, the number of public holidays may vary)
Dragon Boat Festival – This holiday is associated with the legend of the patriot Qu Yuan, who, after being exiled, threw himself into the river. People searched for him on boats, simultaneously throwing food into the water to satisfy the hunger of the fish. Nowadays, dragon boat races (the dragon is a symbol of happiness) are held on this day. The Chinese eat rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves (zongzi) during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Date: June 10, 2024
Public holidays: June 10, 2024
Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party – Celebrated on July 1. It is an important political holiday in China, commemorating the founding of the party in 1921.
Date: July 1 every year
Public holidays: No public holidays
People’s Liberation Army Day – Celebrated on August 1. It commemorates the founding of the army in 1927, which played a key role in China’s history.
Date: August 1 every year
Public holidays: No public holidays
Mid-Autumn Festival – The second most important holiday in China. It is associated with the legend of Chang’e, a woman who drank the elixir of immortality to save a boy from punishment. After drinking the elixir, she was transported to the moon. Since then, every year her husband, along with neighbors, offered sacrifices to the moon. Today, it is mainly a time for family reunions and remembering distant relatives. The goal of this holiday is unity, symbolized by the moon and the round shape.
Date: September 17, 2024
Public holidays: September 17 – 18, 2024
Chinese National Day – The most important national holiday in China. After winning the civil war on October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed. The defeated (supporters of the National Party of China) withdrew to Taiwan, where they moved the government of the Republic of China. After the celebrations on October 1, the Golden Week follows – a time off from work. It is a period when the Chinese most willingly travel.
Date: October 1 (fixed holiday)
Public holidays: October 1 – 7, 2024
