China’s prices rise with its own calendar, not only with ours. The weeks around its public holidays cost more and feel more crowded, while quieter weeks cost less but can bring weather you must plan for. This page lays out the main peaks, shows how to compare a peak and an off-peak quote fairly, and says what to check.
If your leave dates are fixed, the aim is not to find a perfect week. It is to know what the calendar is doing to your price, so you can plan around it.
Which weeks are China’s peaks?
The official 2026 schedule shows the shape. These dates are from the 2026 calendar, and the pattern repeats each year with different dates.
| Holiday | 2026 dates | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 to 3 January[1] | Short break, local crowds |
| Spring Festival | 15 to 23 February[2] | The longest holiday, heaviest travel |
| Labour Day | 1 to 5 May[3] | Busy attractions and trains |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | 25 to 27 September[4] | A shorter peak |
| National Day Golden Week | 1 to 7 October[5] | The second major peak |
Prices and crowds rise around these weeks, so book earlier or pick the quiet weeks on either side.
What about 2027?
The 2027 mainland holiday schedule had not been published when we checked on 19 October 2026, and is normally issued in early to mid November[6]. Lunar New Year’s Day 2027 falls on 6 February 2027[7], which shows you where the Spring Festival peak will sit.
Plan with that date in mind, and confirm the official holiday window once it is announced.
Does the season change what you pay at sights?
Some sights list different prices by season. General admission to the Forbidden City is listed at CNY 60 in peak season and CNY 40 in off-peak season[8], from a secondary source, so check the official mini-program.
Entry price is a small line beside flights and hotels. Crowds matter more. A Golden Week visit to a famous site means long queues and tighter booking slots.
Is cheaper always better?
A quiet week can bring weather. China’s main typhoon season runs from July to September, though typhoons can occur from May to December[9]. Kunming has a wet season from about May to October[10].
When you compare a peak and an off-peak quote, check weather, daylight and what is open. A saving that costs you two rainy days is not a saving.
How do you compare two dates fairly?
Price both options with the same flights, hotel level and list of sights. Enter each into the budget planner and compare totals. For families on school breaks, see our family of four budget scenarios.
Prices move with season and exchange rate, so recheck before paying. The seasons topic page and the guide on what a China trip costs by style help you set the baseline.