China Public Holidays 2027: Dates & Travel Tips

China's 2027 public holiday calendar is already taking shape, and it looks like one of the friendliest in years. The year also marks the Year of the Fire Goat, a sign associated with calm, patience and quiet renewal after the fiery Horse year of 2026.

When Is China Public Holidays 2027?

China has seven official public holidays for all citizens, worth 13 statutory days since the rules were revised in 2025. Here is how the 2027 dates fall and how the breaks are arranged.

The Two Breaks That Shape the Year

Spring Festival, 5 to 13 February

Chinese New Year is the one period when the whole country moves at once. The 40-day rush known as chunyun starts about two weeks before New Year's Eve: trains sell out within minutes of release, and airfares from Singapore rise sharply.

The upside is atmosphere. Temple fairs, lantern displays and lion dances run for 15 days, and Xi'an, Chengdu and Quanzhou stage the most photogenic celebrations. If you go, arrive before 4 February or after 14 February and keep to one city.

National Day Golden Week, 1 to 7 October

Golden Week opens on a Friday, so seven days off needs only two make-up weekends, expected on Sunday 26 September and Saturday 9 October. October is also the most comfortable month in most of China.

The catch is volume. Attractions sell out weeks ahead, and hotel rates in Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou can rise by 50 per cent or more. Book rooms with free cancellation as soon as the schedule is published.

How China's Day Off System Actually Works?

If you are used to Singapore's fixed public holidays, the Chinese system can look puzzling. The dates are fixed, but the length of each break is arranged.

• Adjusted working day: when a festival falls midweek, a nearby weekend day is moved to create a continuous block, and another Saturday becomes a working day.
• The six-day cap: workdays around a holiday should not run more than six consecutive days in ordinary cases.
• Thirteen days, not seven: the statutory total rose from 11 to 13 in 2025, with Spring Festival and Labour Day each gaining a day.
• Local add-ons: Yunnan, Guangxi and Tibet add regional holidays on top of the national calendar.

China Public Holidays 2027 Calendar

The poster marks every statutory holiday and day off in outline.

What Each Date of China Public Holidays Means for Your Trip?

New Year's Day, Friday 1 January

A quiet three-day weekend. Attractions run normal hours, so it suits a city stay in Shanghai or Hangzhou before the Spring Festival rush.

Spring Festival, Saturday 6 February

The biggest holiday of the year and the most expensive time to fly. It is also the only period to see temple fairs, lantern markets and reunion dinners at full intensity. The last Fire Goat year was 1967.

Qingming Festival, Monday 5 April

A tomb-sweeping weekend rather than a party. Blossoms peak in the Yangtze delta, and Hangzhou, Suzhou and Wuxi are lovely, though trains are busy on the Friday and Monday.

Labour Day, Saturday 1 May

Five days break make this the best spring long weekend. Chengdu and Chongqing pair well, with about 90 minutes by rail between them.

Dragon Boat Festival, Wednesday 9 June

Only one day off, so plan around the weekend rather than the festival itself. Races run in Guangzhou, Suzhou and Hangzhou, usually on the day.

Mid-Autumn Festival, Wednesday 15 September

One day off, and not merged with National Day this year. Mooncake season peaks, and West Lake and the Bund are crowded after dark.

National Day, Friday 1 October

Seven days and the busiest autumn week. Book flights and hotels in July for central locations, or pick one slower regional route instead of a multi-city dash.

When to Visit China in 2027?

The gaps between holidays are where China feels calmer and cheaper.

What Are Some Regional Festivals Worth Planning Around in China?

Several local festivals reward a detour. Dates follow the lunar or ethnic calendar, so confirm locally before booking.

• Water-Splashing, Xishuangbanna: mid-April, the Dai New Year, with water fights and temple ceremonies.
• Torch Festival, Yunnan and Sichuan: late July or early August, with bonfires in Lijiang, Dali and Liangshan.
• Shoton, Lhasa: usually August, with Tibetan opera and thangka displays.
• Sanyuesan, Guangxi: early April, an official regional holiday with folk songs and markets.

School Holidays in 2027

School holidays move domestic travel more than any single public holiday. The winter break starts in late January in most cities, with many schools breaking up around 25 January, and the spring term resumes around 21 or 22 February, which overlaps with Spring Festival.

The summer holidays run from early July to the end of August, making those weeks the peak for domestic tourism. Coastal cities and theme parks are busiest then.

Booking Tips for Singapore Travellers

• Book flights three to four months ahead for Spring Festival and Golden Week; direct services go first.
• Rail tickets open about 15 days before departure and sell out fast. Use the official 12306 app or a platform that accepts foreign cards.
• Pick hotels with free cancellation until the official schedule is published, then rebook if your dates shift.
• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a Visa or Mastercard before you fly. Most payments are QR based.
• Avoid landing on 4 or 5 February and leaving on 13 or 14 February, when chunyun peaks.