China Holidays 2025–2026: Public Holidays & School Breaks Travel Guide

This China holidays travel guide for 2025–2026 will help you plan smarter. Public holidays and school breaks are peak travel seasons when attractions such as the Great Wall, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai are packed with crowds. Use this guide to avoid peak dates, save money, and enjoy a smoother trip in China.

📅 China Holidays 2025: Public Holiday Dates

(Dates confirmed for 2025; 2026 projected based on typical patterns)

*Note: Mid-Autumn (Oct 6) falls within National Week 2025, creating an 8-day super peak.*

📅 China Holidays 2026: Projected Calendar

(Projected based on lunar calendar & typical scheduling)

*Note: 2026 Labor Day may extend to 5 days if bridged (TBC by State Council).

🎒 China Holidays and School Breaks Travel Tips

Major tourism spikes during:

Winter Break Dates & Travel Impact

• 2025: Mid-January to Late February (varies by province)
  Peak overlap: Jan 20–Feb 15 (Spring Festival travel rush)
• 2026: Jan 15–Feb 15

Summer Break Dates & Peak Travel

• 2025: Early July to Late August
  Peak travel: July 10–Aug 20
• 2026: July 5–August 31

⚠️ Key Insight: Attractions like Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Yunnan and Beijing overflow with families during school breaks.

🚫 When to Avoid Travel

1. Spring Festival (Jan/Feb):
   • Transport chaos, 2X hotel prices, attractions packed.
2. National Day (Oct 1–7):
   • “Golden Week” crowds overwhelm all major sites.
3. Summer Break (Jul-Aug):
   • Mix of domestic families + international tourists → long queues.

✅ Best Times to Visit China (2025–2026)

If you’re visiting China, it’s also worth looking beyond classic sightseeing and exploring slower, nature-based experiences.

For travelers who prefer open landscapes and fewer crowds, outdoor experiences around Beijing offer a refreshing alternative — from horseback riding and forest trails to wide-open grasslands. These experiences emphasize a relaxed pace, natural scenery, and time away from busy urban routes, making them a meaningful complement to traditional city travel.

Period	Why Visit
Apr–May	Mild weather, flowers bloom
Sep–Oct	Avoid National Week; autumn colors
Nov	Low crowds, cheaper flights

💡Travel Planning Checklist

Purchase flights/trains 3-4 months in advance for holiday travel.
Avoid Hiking tours / Great Wall travel on Golden Week/ Summer break.
School break hack – travel in late August when students have returned home.

The reason it matters:
Holiday crowds in China can turn a dream trip into pure madness. Use these dates to help you experience the stilt houses of Fenghuang, the skyline of Shanghai, or the Great Wall without the crowd. Travel smart, travel freely!