Majority of China public holidays are traditional holidays, some dating back to pre-Civil war era. The only international holidays observed here are New Year 1 January 2011 and May Day 1 May 2011.

Here is the list of public holidays observed in China. You may note that some of the China public holidays 2011 falls on Saturday or Sunday. This is norm in the seven working days China.

The China Government will usually announce official China holiday dates nearer to closing of the preceding year (in this case by end of year 2010), so for time being, hopefully this holiday calendar is good to make some planning.

China Public Holidays 2011

International New Year’s Day
Marks the beginning of a new calendar year
Saturday, 1 January 2011

Spring Festival, Chinese/Lunar New Year
Most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, the festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month (zheng yue) in the Chinese lunar calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day.
1st day of 1st lunar month
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Friday, 4 February 2011
Saturday, 5 February 2011

Qing Ming / Tomb Sweeping Day / Clear Bright Festival
Qingming Jie Is a festival for Chinese people to remember and honour their ancestors at grave sites.
5th Solar Term / April 4 or April 5
Tuesday, 5 April 2011

China Labour Day / May Day / International Workers’ Day
China celebrates International Labour Day on 1st of May. In the past, China Labour Day (also called as China May Day) used to be a week long affair. In 2008, after a major China holiday reform, Labour Day is shortened and some Chinese traditional festivals are introduced as public holidays.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011

Duanwu Festival / Dragon Boat Festival / Dumpling Festival
A traditional and statutory holiday associated with China and other Chinese-speaking societies, with focus of the celebrations includes eating zongzi, which are large rice wraps/dumplings, drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats.
5th day of 5th Chinese lunar month, thus alternative name of Double Fifth Festival
Monday, 6 June 2011

Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival / Lantern Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiujie), is a popular harvest festival celebrated by people in the Chinese influenced world. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, drink chinese tea, and eat moon cakes and pomelos under the moon together. In Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, it is also sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival.
15th day of 8th lunar month in Chinese lunar calendar
Monday, 12 September 2011

National Day of the People’s Republic of China
The National Day is celebration of the founding day of People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949 with a ceremony at Tiananmen Square.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011

Among all the 2011 Chinese public holidays, there are two ‘Golden Weeks’ – Spring Festival Week in February 2011 and National Day Week in October 2011. Both of the two holidays last for three days but in practice workers generally get seven consecutive days off by combining two weekends with them. During these two Golden weeks, most Chinese would go out and travel around the country, resulting with a huge boost to China tourism industry. Hotel rooms, train tickets or air tickets in China will be in great demand during these weeks and it is not recommended to visit during these Golden Weeks.

Happy China holidays 2011 to China people and all Chinese around the world !

Interesting places around the world

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  1. China National Public Holidays 2011 Calendar
  2. China Public Holidays 2012 Calendar
  3. China Public Sector / National Holiday For Calendar Year 2010
  4. China Public Sector / National Holiday 2009 Calendar
  5. Taiwan Public Holidays 2011 Calendar