China Public Holidays & Train Travel: What Every Visitor Must Know
China’s public holidays cause the world’s largest human migration. Learn when to avoid travelling, when to book ahead, and how to navigate Golden Weeks as a foreign visitor on China’s high-speed rail network.
What you need to know
- Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) — the busiest travel period in human history
- Two Golden Weeks: Labour Day (May) and National Day (October)
- Tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale — pre-booking is essential
1Spring Festival — The World’s Biggest Annual Migration
Chinese New Year is not just a national holiday — it triggers the largest annual human movement on the planet. Known as 春运 (Chūnyùn), the Spring Festival travel rush spans roughly 40 days (15 days before and 25 days after New Year’s Day). In 2024, over 9 billion trips were made during this period. For rail travellers, this means tickets for popular routes vanish within minutes of going on sale. Foreign visitors who want to travel during Spring Festival should book a pre-sale request weeks in advance and be flexible on exact times. Spring Festival dates: 2026 = Feb 17 · 2027 = Feb 6.
2Golden Week — National Day (October) and Labour Day (May)
China has two Golden Weeks: National Day (October 1–7) and Labour Day (May 1–5). Domestic tourism surges massively — major attractions like the Great Wall, West Lake in Hangzhou, and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an reach capacity. Train capacity between major cities is stretched to its limits. For tourists, these periods offer a unique festive atmosphere. But plan your transport first. Book train tickets for the first and last days of the holiday the moment they open (15 days before). If you have flexibility, travel on October 3 or 4 rather than October 1 or 7, which are the most congested days.
3Qingming, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn — Shorter But Busy
These three 3-day holidays cause significant but more manageable travel spikes. Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) falls in early April — many people return to their hometowns, so routes from major cities to smaller provincial cities are busiest. Dragon Boat Festival is in late May or June; popular tourist destinations fill up so book trains 5–7 days ahead. Mid-Autumn Festival falls in September and sometimes overlaps with National Day Golden Week, making the combined period exceptionally busy.
4Practical Tips for Travelling Around Chinese Holidays
Use a pre-sale booking service: China Railway opens tickets 15 days before departure, and a local booking partner can purchase the moment sales open — essential during Golden Week. Be flexible on time: the 6–8am and 5–8pm slots are always the most popular; a 10am or 2pm departure often has far better availability. Consider first or business class when second class is sold out. Avoid the first and last days of each holiday: October 1 and October 7 are the absolute worst days to travel, while October 4–5 is measurably calmer. Check our date picker — holiday periods are highlighted directly in the calendar: red for Golden Weeks, amber for shorter public holidays.
5China Public Holiday Calendar 2026
New Year’s Day: January 1. Spring Festival Golden Week: February 17–23. Qingming Festival: April 5–7. Labour Day Golden Week: May 1–5. Dragon Boat Festival: June 19–21. Mid-Autumn Festival: September 25–27. National Day Golden Week: October 1–7. Note: China occasionally adjusts surrounding weekdays to extend holiday windows. Official adjustments are announced by the State Council typically 1–2 months before each holiday.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) in 2026?
Spring Festival 2026 falls on February 17. The official public holiday runs from February 17 to February 23, but travel demand surges in the two weeks before and after as hundreds of millions of people travel home across China. Train tickets sell out within hours of going on sale 15 days ahead.
When is China’s National Day Golden Week in 2026?
National Day Golden Week runs from October 1 to October 7, 2026. It is the second busiest travel period of the year. Popular routes such as Beijing–Shanghai and Guangzhou–Shanghai sell out completely. Book as early as possible — ideally the moment tickets open 15 days before your travel date.
Can I still travel during Golden Week as a tourist?
Yes, but you need to plan carefully. Tickets do become available if you are flexible on departure time (very early morning or late evening trains have slightly more availability). Pre-sale requests through a booking agent like us can secure your seat even before tickets officially open.
Which holidays are the busiest for train travel?
Ranked by difficulty of getting tickets: (1) Spring Festival — 40-day travel rush, (2) National Day Golden Week — 7 days, (3) Labour Day Golden Week — 5 days, (4) Dragon Boat Festival — 3 days, (5) Qingming — 3 days, (6) Mid-Autumn Festival — 3 days.
What is the 15-day ticket window?
China Railway releases tickets exactly 15 days before the departure date. For example, tickets for October 1 go on sale on September 16. During peak holidays, popular trains sell out in under 10 minutes. Using a booking agent with early access gives you a significant advantage.
Should I avoid travelling during these holidays?
If you have flexibility, avoid the peak 3–4 days at the start and end of each Golden Week (e.g. Oct 1–3 and Oct 5–7 for National Day). Mid-holiday travel (e.g. Oct 4) is usually less hectic. Shoulder days just before or after the holiday window are often the best value.