Chinese National Day 1981
Gregorian Date
October 1, 1981
Lunar Date
9/4
Day of Week
Thursday
Official Golden Week 1981 Holiday Schedule & Calendar
The official 7-day Golden Week holiday begins on National Day (Thursday, October 1, 1981) and concludes on Wednesday, October 7, 1981. Work resumes on Thursday, October 8.
Official Holiday & Working Day Schedule
| Period / Phase | Calendar Dates | Duration | Status / Working Arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Holiday Working Period | Late September 1981 | Standard Days | Regular Business / Potential Adjusted Shift |
| National Day Golden Week | Oct 1 – Oct 7, 1981 | 7 Days | Official Statutory Public Holiday (Offices Closed) |
| Post-Holiday Work Resumption | Oct 8, 1981 onwards | Ongoing | Business Resumes (Adjusted Saturday Shift) |
About Compensatory Shift Days (调休): To create an unbroken 7-day holiday, China's State Council designates adjacent weekend days as working days (typically the weekend before or following Golden Week). The finalized official government schedule is released annually in late November or early December. Traveling for the preceding autumn harvest celebration? Check out our complete Mid-Autumn Festival 1981 Dates & Mooncake Guide.
Historical Origins & Modern National Significance
Chinese National Day (国庆节, Guóqìng Jié) commemorates the formal founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. On that historic afternoon, Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the central government from Tiananmen Gate in Beijing before a celebratory gathering of over 300,000 citizens.
The date was officially ratified as China's National Day on December 2, 1949, by the Central People's Government Council. Today, it stands alongside Spring Festival as the country's most prominent public celebration, symbolizing national sovereignty, cultural unity, and the culmination of modern China's development.
On major decade milestones (such as the 50th anniversary in 1999, 60th in 2009, and 70th in 2019), China hosts monumental military parades and civilian pageants along Chang'an Avenue. In 1999, the State Council introduced the 7-day 'Golden Week' system to encourage domestic tourism, long-distance family reunions, and consumer economic revitalization.
Authentic Customs, Banquet Delicacies & Autumn Festivities
Flag-Raising Ceremonies & National Pride
From Beijing's Tiananmen Square to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, dawn flag-raising ceremonies and patriotic musical tributes mark the morning across all Chinese territories.
Gigantic Floral Baskets on Tiananmen Square
Every year since 1986, Beijing erects an 18-meter-tall giant flower basket filled with auspicious peonies, lotus flowers, and grains in Tiananmen Square, drawing millions of holiday photo-takers.
Autumn Feasts & Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab
Coinciding with the peak autumn harvest, celebratory menus feature steamed Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs (阳澄湖大闸蟹), Beijing roast duck, osmanthus wine, longevity noodles, and multi-generation banquet meals.
Regional Celebrations across Greater China
Hong Kong hosts grand fireworks over Victoria Harbour on the evening of October 1. Macau holds cultural pageants and food festivals. Taiwan celebrates Double Tenth Day on October 10th.
Golden Week Travel Blueprint: 12306 Train Tickets & Crowd Survival Guide
Golden Week generates an estimated 800+ million domestic passenger trips, making it one of the largest annual human migrations on Earth. Follow these essential strategies to navigate the travel rush:
1. Master the 12306 Train Booking System
High-speed rail tickets release exactly 14 days prior to departure at staggered hourly slots. Set alarms and utilize 12306's official standby waitlist ('Houbu' 候补) feature if tickets sell out instantly.
2. Real-Name ID & Timed Scenic Admissions
Premier attractions including the Forbidden City, Badaling Great Wall, and Terracotta Army require advance real-name passport/ID registration and enforce strict daily entry quotas.
3. Embrace 'Reverse Travel' (反向旅游)
Avoid Tier-1 hotspots and explore charming Lesser-Known 3rd/4th-Tier cultural gems such as Jingdezhen (porcelain capital), Quanzhou, Shaoxing, or Dali for a relaxed holiday experience.
4. Set Up Digital Payments Before Departure
Link international Visa/Mastercard credit cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay before traveling. Digital payment is universally required across Chinese transport, dining, and scenic venues.
Golden Week Hotel Stays & Landmark Day Tours
Golden Week is China's most active autumn travel window. Finding verified hotels in core cultural centers and reserving landmark sightseeing passes in advance on Trip.com guarantees a smooth, memorable holiday.
- Beijing Hotels & Great Wall Gateway StaysTop-rated hotels in Beijing near central metro lines, Wangfujing, and transit hubs for easy exploration of the Forbidden City and Great Wall.Book on Trip.com
- Shanghai Waterfront & Downtown HotelsVerified stays along the Bund, People's Square, and Pudong with convenient metro connectivity for autumn city sightseeing.Book on Trip.com
- Xi'an Ancient Capital & Terracotta Army StaysComfortable accommodation inside and near the ancient city walls, Muslim Quarter, and Terracotta Warriors transit routes.Book on Trip.com
- China Top Attraction Tickets & Guided Day ToursInstant electronic passes and guided day excursions for major landmarks, cultural museums, river cruises, and natural parks across China.Book on Trip.com
Essential Chinese National Day Wishes & Greetings
Copy these authentic Chinese holiday wishes with pinyin and translations to share with friends, colleagues, and travel companions during Golden Week.
Guóqìng Jié Kuàilè
Happy National Day!
The standard and most popular holiday greeting for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Shèngshì huázhāng, zhù zǔguó fánróng chāngshèng
Celebrating the glorious era, wishing our homeland peace, strength, and prosperity.
A formal and poetic blessing used in community celebrations, media, and business circles.
Shí-Yī jiàqī yúkuài, chūxíng píng'ān
Wishing you a wonderful October 1st holiday and safe, pleasant travels.
Practical and friendly wish sent to travelers embarking on Golden Week vacations.
Shānhé zhuànglì, suìyuè ānkāng
Magnificent landscapes, wishing you tranquil and healthy years ahead.
A graceful autumn blessing combining appreciation for nature and personal well-being.
China Travel & Golden Week Transit Essentials
During Golden Week, hundreds of millions of travelers take to trains and flights across China. Having reliable transit gear, power adapters, and organizers ensures smooth, stress-free journeys.
- Universal All-in-One Travel Power Adapter (Type A/C/G/I)Essential multi-plug adapter with high-speed USB-C fast charging, compatible with Chinese Type A and Type I outlets.View on Amazon
- Compression Packing Cubes Set for LuggageDurable nylon packing organizers to maximize suitcase space and keep clothing neatly sorted during multi-city tours.View on Amazon
- RFID-Blocking Passport & Travel Document WalletMulti-compartment secure travel wallet designed for passports, high-speed train tickets, SIM cards, and foreign currencies.View on Amazon
- Ergonomic Memory Foam Travel Neck PillowSupportive 360° chin-and-neck travel pillow designed for long-haul flights and overnight sleeper trains.View on Amazon
For Internationals & Expats: Modern China History & Guidebooks
Exploring China as an international visitor, expat, or student during National Day is deeply rewarding. These acclaimed guidebooks and history books provide essential cultural context and practical travel insights for non-Chinese readers.
- Lonely Planet China Travel GuideComprehensive itineraries, transit tips, and cultural etiquette covering Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Yunnan, and beyond.View on Amazon
- “The Search for Modern China” by Jonathan D. SpenceThe definitive, internationally acclaimed work detailing China's transformation from the late Ming dynasty to the modern era.View on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, we earn from qualifying purchases and bookings.
Commercial Operations: Factory Shutdowns, Supply Chains & Banking Hours
Manufacturing & Factory Closures
Factories and manufacturing hubs across the Pearl River and Yangtze River Deltas halt operations for 7 to 10 days. International buyers must finalize production orders 4–6 weeks prior.
Port Congestion & Air/Ocean Freight
Late September experiences a heavy pre-holiday export rush, causing spot freight rates to surge. Port operations, customs clearance, and inland trucking operate with skeleton staff or pause entirely.
Banking Hours & Public Institutions
Brick-and-mortar bank branches, government agencies, and embassies are closed Oct 1–7. ATMs, online banking, digital payment rails, and hospital emergency rooms operate 24/7 uninterrupted.