Festivals

China has several big festivals with some that last for quite a few days. The biggest by far, which can last a few weeks (about a month if you’re in education), is Spring Festival, aka ‘CNY’ (Chinese New Year). This family occasion is lunar so has no fixed, annual date. Usually held at some point between mid-January and mid-February, deafening firecrackers, charming red lanterns and plenty of food with huge family gatherings are held. From the 1st day of the new lunar year, are 15 days of ‘special lunar period' culminating in Lantern Festival which marks the end of this magical season. That’s when you get to see those fabulous red lanterns lift into the night sky from rooftops and parks across the country or visit stunning lantern inflatable exhibitions. The famous 'lion dance' (pictured right) is common in the South (Guangdong province, mainly).

Around early April, is Tomb Sweeping Day which is a one-day national holiday to remember family members who have passed on. Labour Day is on 1st May and actually lasts several days, almost a week in fact.

For most holidays, you’ll find that businesses often work a long weekend beforehand or afterhand (Saturday and Sunday), which effectively gives them an extended holiday and then work days are 'in liu' (moved) to form a longer week of work to compensate. That's usually a pretty good deal as many people go camping, go back to their family hometowns or dash to the coast for a few days.

There’s also Mid-Autumn Day in autumn (the fullest moon of the year in which flavoured ‘mooncakes’ are sold in elegant packaging and given as gifts) and Dragon Boat Racing Boat Racing Day in June or July.

The second major national holiday is ‘Golden Week’ (or ‘National Day’, starting on 1st October but lasting up to seven whole days off), which originates from the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Other days of interest but not necessarily national holidays off, include Women’s Day, Children’s Day, Teacher’s Day and Chinese Military Day.

Then, there are also local events held in all communities across the entire country, from food fates to stage entertainment, although China doesn’t much go for street carnivals, sadly so don't expect city roads to ever be blocked off to traffic for a carnival or a parade.

China is also active during the Christmas and New Year's Eve. Images of Santa Clause can be found everywhere, trees adorn malls and gifts are sometimes exchanged. If you find yourself in China around Christmas time, you may be given an honorary feast by your friends or employer and be given a boxed apple - the Chinese way of marking a special occasion, with Christmas being no exception. You'll find the Chinese rather enjoy Christmas and all the festive music that goes with it. In China it is considered an almost romantic holiday.

Either way, do give your best wishes to locals if you find yourself in China during any of these holiday periods (make a note of Ramadan if you’re visiting Xinjiang or other Islamic hotspots); though try to avoid any rail travel and the subsequent chaos during these peak periods – things get booked out very quickly and way in advance! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ;-/

(See Trains).