China's National Day / Golden Week

October 1st is China's National Day to celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is known as the Golden Week public holiday because the first seven days are dedicated to festivities. Festivities include military parades and evening galas.

China's National Day Infographic

The History of China's National Day

In contemporary China, the National Day marks the founding of the People's Republic of China. Although Chinese won our independence on September 21, 1949, China's new government passed the “Resolution on the National Day of the People's Republic of China” to make October 1st to be China's National Day. This thus became a grand national festival.

The Significance of China's National Day and Why is it Important to Celebrate National Day

In short, National Day represents China's assertion of sovereignty, which identifies it as a nation. Since it is also an established public holiday, it attests to the unity that has been built. It is a period that is truly for commemorating our forefathers and looking to the future.

National Day Activities:

The large scale celebration has mass appeal, and its form has varied in different periods, but the pleasure and pride of the country have never changed.

Flag-raising Ceremony

The flag-raising ceremony is held in Tian'anmen Square, the national flag guards march in tight order from Tian'anmen Gate Tower. With the anthem chorus stirring hearts and arms held strong in salute, the national flag is raised and flutters in the wind. The number of visitors attending the ceremony on Oct. 1st are 100 thousand more than on ordinary days.

Military Parade

The military parade suggests the military strength of China with a presentation lasting 66 minutes, for remembering national humiliation, recalling revolutionary martyrs, and lifting the national spirit.

Anniversary Activities

Communist party and status leaders offer flowers to the monument of the People's Heroes for commemorating martyrs in the liberation of China. Overseas Chinese Communities also hold a celebration and flag-raising ceremony during the festival.

An evening gala

The National Day evening gala showcases songs and dances on the theme of eulogizing the motherland and the modern era. All Chinese people feel a sense of patriotism and are in a festive mood.

Some Fun Facts about China's National Day

1. Holiday: The schedule for National Day is not the same throughout China, and is the longest public holiday of the year in mainland China.
   Since 1999, the National Day holiday has been 7 days in mainland China (Golden Week), 2 days in Macao, and 1 day in Hong Kong.
2. Decorated Streets: All government departments and public institutions hang lanterns and slogans of “Celebrate National Day”. Potted plants are placed in the main square and combine to form a slogan with balloons dotted about.
3. Shopping: There are a great many shopping malls with special holiday deals to attract customers.
4. Travel: Millions of citizens move across China, and many of them tend to swarm to resorts during this long holiday. The number of visitors increases by epic proportions year by year. Traveling in China during Golden Week is not a good choice, but if you have already decided to come, it is highly recommended that you join our tour for cultural exchange to avoid the large crowds, such as visiting Hutong, painting Beijing Opera Facial Masks and learning Taichi.
5. Traffic: Traffic is definitely the heaviest on the first and last day of Golden Week, so airplane tickets are more expensive, and train tickets can be tough to find. It is wise to book ahead.
6. Hotel: Hotels are extremely busy on national holidays, given the huge increase in domestic travel. It is possible that they will also be more costly at that time.

Why Visit China During National Day?

National Day offers tourists a perfect opportunity to experience the festive spirit of China. During the holiday, urban streets are decorated with fresh flowers and colorful lanterns, while dazzling light shows illuminate landmark buildings across the country, filling every corner with a strong festive atmosphere that showcases China’s prosperity and vitality.

Scenic spots, museums and cultural venues nationwide host a wide array of themed activities, including intangible cultural heritage fairs, traditional Chinese-style dance performances, shadow puppetry shows and hands-on traditional craft workshops. Visitors can not only enjoy brilliant traditional cultural performances, but also explore museums and try their hand at intangible cultural heritage crafts to deeply appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture.

Recommended Destinations

The National Day Golden Week ranks among China’s busiest travel seasons of the year. Official statistics show that during the combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays in 2025, domestic tourist trips nationwide reached 888 million, an increase of 123 million compared with the seven-day National Day holiday in 2024. The national railway system handled a total of 213 million passenger trips, with a daily average of 17.763 million passengers.

Early October brings autumn to most parts of China, marking the prime travel season for autumn foliage appreciation. The destinations recommended below boast enchanting autumn scenery and draw far fewer visitors compared with popular tourist cities and scenic spots.

Birch Forests in Northern Xinjiang
Birch forests stretch around Kanas Lake, Hemu Village and Baihaba Village. Particularly on the hillsides of Hemu and the outskirts of Baihaba, swathes of undulating birch trees form a glittering golden sea. From late September to early October, the birches display their most vivid hues and magnificent vistas, ideal for sightseeing and photography.

Larch Forests of Arxan, Inner Mongolia
In Arxan, Dahurian larches grow mixed with birches and Scotch pines to form coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests, which are most prevalent at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,200 metres. Come autumn, the larches turn from green to golden yellow, weaving together with birch woods into a vast golden forest sea. This spectacular sight stands as one of Arxan’s most iconic autumn landscapes.

Scenery of Arxan National Forest Park

Longji Rice Terraces
During the National Day holiday, rice across the tiered Longji Terraces ripens. Golden waves of grain drape the winding terraces that follow the mountain contours, creating striking rolling curves. The golden paddies set off green hills, leafy trees and white clouds, painting a vivid pastoral scroll. Visitors are advised to arrive at dawn, when swirling mist lends an ethereal poetic charm and crowds are much thinner.

Longji Rice Terraces

Xiapu
Autumn (September to November) is one of Xiapu’s most captivating seasons and the optimal window for photographing tidal flat landscapes. After low tide, the mudflats glow with rich shades of red, yellow and blue layered in distinct light and shadow, perfect for photography. Travellers can also go tide pooling on exposed flats to experience coastal fishing life, digging for shellfish and catching crabs.

Travel Tips

Book in advance: Transportation and accommodation are in high demand during the National Day holiday. It is recommended to reserve flight tickets, high-speed rail tickets and hotels ahead of time.
Check the weather: Northern regions and high-altitude areas experience a large temperature difference between day and night in October. Warm and windproof outerwear is advised.
Travel off-peak: Avoid travelling on the first and last days of the holiday as well as peak hours at popular scenic spots for a more comfortable trip.
Reserve scenic spots: Entry reservations are required for many popular scenic areas and museums. Check relevant information and complete reservations beforehand.
Plan your itinerary wisely: Scenic spots and transport hubs see massive crowds during the National Day holiday. Slow down your schedule and set aside ample travel time.

If you plan to travel to China during the National Day holiday, we can tailor exclusive itineraries based on your interests, travel dates and budget. Whether you are after autumn photography, cultural immersion, family trips, or in-depth off-the-beaten-path tours away from crowded popular attractions, China Educational Tours will design comfortable and flexible travel plans for you, allowing you to enjoy a premium travel experience even during the golden week.