Chinese Culture & Festival Basics
1. Statutory holidays (for all citizens)
Under the Measures for National Holidays and Memorial Days (2024 revision), the holidays for all citizens are:
| Holiday | Days off |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 day (Jan 1) |
| Spring Festival | 4 days (Lunar New Year's Eve, Jan 1-3 of lunar month) |
| Qingming | 1 day (lunar Qingming day) |
| Labour Day | 2 days (May 1-2) |
| Dragon Boat Festival | 1 day (lunar Duanwu day) |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | 1 day (lunar Mid-Autumn day) |
| National Day | 3 days (Oct 1-3) |
Note: if a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a compensatory day off is given; the exact arrangements follow the annual State Council notice.
2. Major traditional festivals
The Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Double Ninth Festival are listed as representative items of the national intangible cultural heritage and are important carriers of fine traditional Chinese culture. Localities hold rich folk, heritage-display and public cultural activities for these festivals.
- Spring Festival: the most important traditional festival — family reunion and seeing out the old year; customs include spring couplets, dragon/lion dances, lantern fairs.
- Qingming: a time for tomb-sweeping, ancestor remembrance and spring outings.
- Dragon Boat Festival: dragon-boat races and zongzi (rice dumplings).
- Mid-Autumn Festival: moon-viewing and reunion; mooncakes are traditional.
- National Day: Oct 1, marking the founding of the PRC, often with a long holiday travel peak.
3. Basic social-etiquette notes
- A handshake is the common greeting; a nod or wave is fine among acquaintances.
- Use respectful titles such as "先生 (Mr.) / 女士 (Ms.) / 老师 (teacher/professional)".
- Speak softly and queue in order in public places.
- Offer or receive gifts with both hands as a courtesy; use legitimate payment channels for money matters.
- Respect local dietary, religious and ethnic customs.
These are general etiquette notes; in specific situations follow local customs and show respect.
《全国年节及纪念日放假办法》（2024年修订）第二条：全体公民放假的节日：（一）元旦，放假1天（1月1日）；（二）春节，放假4天（农历除夕、正月初一至初三）；（三）清明节，放假1天（农历清明当日）；（四）劳动节，放假2天（5月1日、2日）；（五）端午节，放假1天（农历端午当日）；（六）中秋节，放假1天（农历中秋当日）；（七）国庆节，放假3天（10月1日至3日）。
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202411/content_6985511.htm
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This guide was manually verified on 2026-11-01 (9 days ago). Based on official publications; always refer to the latest official source.
Official source: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202411/content_6985511.htm
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