October is one of the best months to marvel at China’s majestic scenery, when the colorful, lyrical autumn glitters across its varied continent. But you can expect some screaming crowds and inevitable queues in early October. China’s most famous tourist sites reach fever pitch from October 1 -7, which is the National Day Holiday of China and known as China Golden Week.
What is China’s National Day / Golden Week?
China’s National Day is a holiday commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which is celebrated on October 1st every year. When the National Day comes, there will be a wide range of celebration activities, and Chinese citizens will enjoy a week-long holiday, making it a Golden Week in China.
In 2000, China implemented its first seven-day National Day Golden Week, and since then, the holiday has become a peak period for tourism and consumption. During the Golden Week, China's tourism industry experiences extraordinary popularity—hotels are fully booked, train and flight tickets sell out, and tourist attractions are packed with crowds. Overall, large and medium-sized cities with convenient transportation, well-developed infrastructure, and abundant supporting facilities remain the most popular tourist destinations.
By the way, there was once a seven-day Labor Day holiday in China, which is called the "May Day Golden Week". But it was canceled in 2008.
Why Is It Called Golden Week?
Golden Week (in Chinese:黄金周) is a unique Chinese holiday system, meaning the consecutive 7-day long vacation created by combining China’s National Day Holiday with adjacent weekends through schedule adjustments.Obviously, the 7-day holiday becomes a concentrated time for various consumption activities, tourism, and transportation. This period presents significant business opportunities for merchants, which is why the media refers to it as the "Golden Week" in China. Also, during the Golden Week, you might travel with family, reunite with loved ones, or explore scenic spots alone. It creates countless unforgettable and precious memories, whose value is even greater than gold.
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History of China’s National Day
The origin of China’s National Day can be dated back to December 2, 1949. On that day, the Fourth Meeting of the Central People's Government Committee passed a resolution, which declared October 1st—the founding day of the People’s Republic of China—as the National Day, effective from 1950. With this decision, October 1st has been observed as a major national celebration in China.
2025 & 2026 Chinese National Day Holiday
In 2025, China’s Golden Week Holiday (China’s National Day Holiday) coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, forming an 8-day holiday. It starts from October 1 and runs till October 8.
The 2026 China Golden Week schedule has not yet been announced, but typically, it usually spans from October 1 to October 7.
National Day Celebrations and Activities
Flag-Raising Ceremony
The flag-raising ceremony is one of the most solemn celebration activities for China’s National Day. The ceremony is mainly celebrated at important venues across the country, particularly Tiananmen Square in Beijing. People gather at the square early in the morning. Accompanied by the passionate national anthem, they stand at attention and watch the Five-Star Red Flag rise slowly.
Military Review and Parade
The military review and parade is also held during China’s National Day Holiday, though not every year. Historically, large-scale military parades have been held approximately every ten years. It demonstrates the country's military strength, achievements in national defense construction, and the spiritual outlook of the armed forces.
Cultural Performances
During China's Golden Week from October 1st to 7th, a rich variety of artistic performances, including concerts, drama shows, song and dance galas, are held across the country. Professional art troupes and folk artists all take to the stage to perform, bringing audiences spectacular audio-visual feasts.
Fireworks Display
In many cities in China, people set off colorful fireworks to celebrate the National Day. These fireworks displays usually last nearly 20-30 minutes, presenting various shapes and creating a spectacular sight.
Other Celebrations and Activities
Themed exhibitions are also held in museums and art galleries throughout the country during China Golden Week, including historical and cultural exhibitions, art exhibitions, and scientific and technological achievement exhibitions. Through these, you’ll learn more about China’s history and development. Besides, businesses take the opportunity of China National Day Holiday to launch many discount campaigns and promotional activities to attract shoppers. If you like shopping in China, don’t miss it.
Where to Go during Golden Week - Best Places to Visit in China
Popular Tourist Destinations
Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Chongqing see a huge surge in traffic and are bustling with activities during China Golden Week. If you want to soak up the National Day atmosphere, head to Tiananmen Square in Beijing to watch the flag-raising ceremony. For a mix of shopping and savings, Shanghai is an ideal option during this time.
You can also take a panda tour in Chengdu, see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, or admire the beautiful scenery at West Lake in Hangzhou. Want to discover more natural views of China? Embarking on a Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing will be an optimal choice.
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Busy but Manageable Spots
In general, cities like Nanjing, Jinan, Qingdao, Changsha, Suzhou, Sanya, and Zhangjiajie also welcome a large number of tourists during China's National Day Holiday. They are busy but manageable, allowing you to experience the festive atmosphere as well as enjoy your trip in China.
Nanjing's Qinhuai River is particularly attractive with the light shows at night, never miss it on your China tours. Suzhou's classical gardens and water towns are also worth visiting during the Golden Week of China. It must be a wonderful experience to discover Jinan's springs and lakes, enjoy Qingdao's beaches and night markets, or appreciate Sanya's coastal scenery and beautiful islands. Besides, don't miss Zhangjiajie's mysterious floating mountains, which will make you feel as if you've stepped into the Avatar Planet.
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Moderate and Comfortable Places
Cities with moderate visitor flows are excellent choices for travel, such as Dalian, Xishuangbanna, Dunhuang, Dali, Zhoushan, Shaoxing, Shantou, Huangshan, Lugu Lake, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou. Visiting these places during the Golden Week of China, you will gain better travel experiences without overwhelming crowds.
Travel to Dalian and see its spectacular mountain-sea scenery, or head to Dunhuang for its deserts and ancient murals. Don’t hesitate to venture into Xishuangbanna's tropical rainforest, appreciate Dali's beautiful Erhai Lake near Cangshan Mountain, and visit the mystical fairyland of Lugu Lake. Also, Mount Huangshan is a good place to go, where you can you can witness breathtaking sunrises and a sea of clouds. By the way, if you want to experience Buddhist culture, Zhoushan's Putuo Mountain is perfect for you.
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Quiet and Less-Crowded Areas
For travelers seeking quieter travel experiences during China National Day Holiday, pay a visit to places like Gannan, Western Sichuan, Arxan, Enshi, and Hohhot, where there are usually fewer crowds. These places allow you to delve deeper into the local culture and landscapes.You can go hiking through Gannan's alpine meadows or admire Western Sichuan's serene snow-capped mountains and colorful lakes. Also, it must be exciting to experience primitive tribal life in Inner Mongolia's Arxan, or gallop across the grasslands of Hohhot. When traveling to China during Golden Week, don't miss Enshi Grand Canyon, which is known as 'Earth's Most Beautiful Scar', with its breathtaking geological formations.
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Hidden Gems and Off-the-Beaten-Path
There are hidden gems waiting to be discovered on China’s National Day Holiday period, such as Yinchuan, Wuhai, Dandong, Tacheng, Zhagana, Chaji Ancient Town, Xining, Xiangyang, Zunyi, and Pu'er. Compared to the popular tourist attractions, these lesser-known destinations provide unique travel experiences.
Yinchuan's Gobi deserts are as famous as its wines, and Wuhai allows you to see a 'sea' in the desert. Moreover, you can admire century-old Russian architecture in Xinjiang's Tacheng, or experience border culture and history in Dandong. Alternatively, on your trip during Golden Week in China, you can learn about Maotai liquor culture in Zunyi, or savor authentic Pu'er tea in its namesake city.
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Here are some useful tips and pointers to help you survive during China’s Golden Week in October and ensure you have a delightful tour of China.
1. Avoid Visiting China during the Golden Week
Foreign tourists are discouraged from traveling in China during China’s National Day Golden Week Holiday. It is better to avoid doing so if possible, as it is actually one of the worst times to visit China. You can make it just before or after this period, when there are usually smaller crowds, and the cost is comparatively lower. Check out the best time to visit China and dates to avoid visiting China for a China travel.
2. Plan Thoroughly Before Setting Off
For a trip during the Golden Week in China, make yourself familiar with the destinations, along with the attractions’ locations, traveling route, train stations, hotels, and restaurants. It is better to bring a tourist map with both Chinese and English.3. Avoid Visiting Popular Tourist Attractions
If you don’t like the holiday crowd, try to avoid visiting the most popular tourist destinations, including Lijiang, Yangshuo, and Fenghuang Ancient Town. Also, try to exclude the famous places of interest when traveling in China, such as the Forbidden City and the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing, the West Lake in Hangzhou, and Jiuzhougou Valley. Be positive and patient if there are queues and crowds.4. Book Tickets and Hotels in Advance
Consult with a reliable travel agency and book a few things in advance for your China travel. Generally, train tickets for China’s National Day Holiday are difficult to get, and hotel rooms are in short supply. So book your tickets and room ahead of time. Travelling with a local guide and driver can take out a lot of stress. If you want a customized tour of China, contact us right away./customised-tourBy the way, you probably will have to accept paying more than normal. The tour cost during the Golden Week in China could get higher, since the prices of hotel rooms, flight tickets, and food may rise significantly.5. Bring Regular Medications
Consider carrying some regular medications, in case of some minor cuts and bruises. A trip during the National Day Holiday of China will not be suitable for hypertensive or cardiac patients.6. Be Extra Careful with Your Valuables
When part of the big crowds, watch out for your wallet, camera, and cell phone, and beware of thieves.
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