Chinese National Day / Golden Week 2026
National Day is October 1; the 2026 Golden Week break is October 1–7. Only October 1–3 are statutory National Day holidays. The full break combines these days with weekends and adjusted days off.
Gregorian Date
October 1, 2026
Lunar Date
8/21
Day of Week
Thursday
Public Holiday · Golden Week (黄金周)
Oct 1–7 · Golden Week (黄金周) (调休 Sep 20 & Oct 10)
Official Golden Week 2026 Holiday Schedule & Calendar
The official 7-day Golden Week holiday begins on National Day (Thursday, October 1, 2026) and concludes on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Work resumes on Thursday, October 8.
2026 Day-by-Day Statutory Holiday & Compensatory Shift Calendar
| Period / Phase | Calendar Dates | Duration | Status / Working Arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Holiday Shift (调休上班) | Sun, Sep 20, 2026 | 1 Day | Compensatory Workday (Shift for Oct 5) |
| Mid-Autumn Holiday (中秋节) | Fri Sep 25 – Sun Sep 27, 2026 | 3 Days | Three-day Mid-Autumn break |
| Inter-Holiday Bridge (工作日/拼假) | Mon Sep 28 – Wed Sep 30, 2026 | 3 Days | Standard Workdays (Take 3 days leave for 13-day holiday) |
| National Day Golden Week (十一黄金周) | Thu Oct 1 – Wed Oct 7, 2026 | 7 Days | 7-day holiday break |
| Work Resumes (节后正常复工) | Thu Oct 8 – Fri Oct 9, 2026 | 2 Days | Regular Business Resumes |
| Post-Holiday Shift (调休上班) | Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | 1 Day | Compensatory Workday (Shift for Oct 6) |
Official State Council Holiday Notice
General Office of the State Council Notice on 2026 Public Holidays (国办发明电〔2025〕7号 / Guobanfa Mingdian [2025] No. 7, gov.cn)
Mid-Autumn + National Day: 13-Day Holiday Stacking (拼假攻略)
In 2026, Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep 25–27) falls just 3 workdays before National Day Golden Week (Oct 1–7). By booking annual leave on September 28, 29, and 30, you create an uninterrupted 13-day holiday corridor from September 25 through October 7.
Official State Council Holiday Arrangement: Under official State Council notice 国办发明电〔2025〕7号 (Guobanfa Mingdian [2025] No. 7, gov.cn), the 7-day National Day holiday runs from October 1 through October 7, 2026. Designated compensatory shift days (调休) are Sunday, September 20 and Saturday, October 10.
History of Chinese National Day
National Day marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
The Central People’s Government Council designated October 1 as National Day on December 2, 1949.
The seven-day Golden Week arrangement was introduced in 1999. Major anniversary celebrations have included parades in Beijing.
National Day customs
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.
Flower displays in Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square has large floral displays during National Day. Check current visitor access rules before going.
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: train tickets and reservations
Check train availability, attraction reservations and opening hours before traveling during Golden Week.
1. 12306 Train Booking Windows & Railway Holiday Transport (Sep 23–Oct 8)
12306 uses a 15-day advance-sale window including the departure day, so tickets open 14 days before travel. Official railway holiday transport for Mid-Autumn and National Day runs from September 23 through October 8, 2026, with the peak outbound passenger rush on October 1. China Railway tickets release 14 days in advance on the official 12306 platform (tickets for the Sep 23 transport start went on sale Sep 9). For peak Golden Week travel: tickets for pre-holiday departures (Sept 30) open Sept 16; peak National Day departures (Oct 1) open Sept 17; return rush tickets for Oct 6 open Sept 23, and peak return tickets for Oct 7 open Sept 24. Use 12306's official standby waitlist ('Houbu' 候补) with multiple trains and seat selections instead of paid 3rd-party accelerators (Sources: Beijing Municipal Government & China Railway).
2. Check traffic and train availability
Traffic varies by route and time. Check live road conditions and available trains before departure; no mid-holiday date guarantees a quiet journey.
3. Expressway Toll Policy: National Day Free vs. Mid-Autumn Paid
National Day Golden Week provides 7 days of toll-free highway travel for passenger cars with 7 seats or fewer from October 1 at 00:00 to October 7 at 24:00 (determined by toll gate exit time). In contrast, Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 25–27) is NOT toll-free under State Council Circular [2012] No. 30, which limits toll waivers strictly to Spring Festival, Qingming, May Day, and National Day.
4. Check attraction booking rules
Check each attraction’s official booking site for release times, accepted ID and availability. Reservation windows and same-day ticket policies differ by venue.
5. Consider a different destination
Compare availability in Jingdezhen, Quanzhou, Shaoxing or Datong if your first choice is fully booked. Smaller cities can also be busy during the holiday.
6. Payments and travel documents
Set up your payment app before departure. Save ticket details and offline maps, and check which identity document your train and attraction bookings require.
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 StaysBeijing 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.comBook on Trip.com
- Shanghai Waterfront & Downtown HotelsShanghai Waterfront & Downtown HotelsVerified stays along the Bund, People's Square, and Pudong with convenient metro connectivity for autumn city sightseeing.Book on Trip.comBook on Trip.com
- Xi'an Ancient Capital & Terracotta Army StaysXi'an Ancient Capital & Terracotta Army StaysComfortable accommodation inside and near the ancient city walls, Muslim Quarter, and Terracotta Warriors transit routes.Book on Trip.comBook on Trip.com
- China Top Attraction Tickets & Guided Day ToursChina 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.comBook on Trip.com
Chinese National Day greetings
Copy a greeting with its pinyin and translation for friends or colleagues.
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)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 AmazonView on Amazon
- Compression Packing Cubes Set for LuggageCompression Packing Cubes Set for LuggageDurable nylon packing organizers to maximize suitcase space and keep clothing neatly sorted during multi-city tours.View on AmazonView on Amazon
- RFID-Blocking Passport & Travel Document WalletRFID-Blocking Passport & Travel Document WalletMulti-compartment secure travel wallet designed for passports, high-speed train tickets, SIM cards, and foreign currencies.View on AmazonView on Amazon
- Ergonomic Memory Foam Travel Neck PillowErgonomic Memory Foam Travel Neck PillowSupportive 360° chin-and-neck travel pillow designed for long-haul flights and overnight sleeper trains.View on AmazonView 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 GuideLonely Planet China Travel GuideComprehensive itineraries, transit tips, and cultural etiquette covering Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Yunnan, and beyond.View on AmazonView on Amazon
- “The Search for Modern China” by Jonathan D. Spence“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 AmazonView 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
Confirm your supplier’s closure dates, production deadlines and reopening date directly. The public holiday calendar does not specify factory shutdown lengths.
Port Congestion & Air/Ocean Freight
Check shipping cutoffs and holiday staffing with your carrier, port or customs agent. Services and processing times vary by operator.
Banking Hours & Public Institutions
Government offices generally follow the holiday calendar. Bank branch hours vary; check the branch notice. Online services and emergency care follow their own operating arrangements.