Chinese National Day 2026
Also called China Golden Week (黄金周)
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 | Statutory Public Holiday (3-Day Weekend) |
| 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 | Official Statutory Holiday (7-Seat Toll-Free Highway) |
| 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.
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. 12306 Train Booking Windows & Railway Holiday Transport (Sep 23–Oct 8)
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. Crowd Dynamics: Departure Surge, Mid-Week Lull & Return Wave
Peak congestion on highways and trains follows a dual-peak wave: outbound on Sept 30 (afternoon/evening) through Oct 1–2 morning; and inbound return on Oct 6 afternoon through Oct 7 all day. The optimal quiet windows for transit or city exploration are Sept 28–30 (workdays) and Oct 3–5 (mid-holiday lull).
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. Real-Name ID & Timed Scenic Admissions
Premier cultural landmarks including the Forbidden City, Badaling Great Wall, Terracotta Army, and Dunhuang Mogao Caves enforce strict real-name passport/ID registration and capped daily quotas. Walk-up ticket windows do not sell same-day admissions; reserve 7–14 days in advance via official mini-programs.
5. Embrace 'Reverse Travel' (反向旅游)
Avoid Tier-1 gridlock and explore charming 3rd/4th-tier cultural destinations with rich autumn appeal, such as Jingdezhen (porcelain capital), Quanzhou (historic maritime silk road), Shaoxing (canals and rice wine), or Datong (ancient grottoes).
6. Payment Rails & Essential Digital Prep
Link international Visa/Mastercard credit cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay before traveling. Download offline maps and high-speed rail reservation QR codes in advance to ensure smooth transit during network congestion at major stations.
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
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)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
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.