Holidays in China
Chinese festivals, public holidays, and seasonal customs for foreigners.
Foreigner at Chinese New Year Family Reunion Dinner: Complete Etiquette Guide
As a foreigner at a Chinese New Year reunion dinner, arrive on time or slightly early, bring a gift (fruit, tea, or sweets), accept all food graciously, try eve…
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China's Teacher's Day: Gift Etiquette & Customs (2024 Guide)
On September 10, students and parents show gratitude to teachers with flowers, small gifts, and heartfelt messages. Avoid cash gifts (controversial due to anti-…
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Children's Day in China: What Parents & Foreigners Must Know
Children's Day (六一儿童节, Liù-Yī Értóng Jié) on June 1 is a real holiday for kids up to age 12, with school performances and gifts. Parents should attend the schoo…
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Women's Day in China: March 8 Workplace & Social Guide
In China, March 8 (三八妇女节) is a widely celebrated holiday where female employees often get a half-day off, gifts, and company events. As a foreigner, acknowledge…
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Laba Festival: China's Fragrant Start to New Year Season
Laba Festival (腊八 Là Bā) falls on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, marking the start of Chinese New Year preparations. The key tradition is eating Laba cong…
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Dongzhi in China: Winter Solstice Guide for Foreigners
Dongzhi (冬至), the Chinese Winter Solstice, falls around December 21-22 and is a major traditional festival emphasizing family reunion and special foods. Norther…
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Chongyang Festival: China's Day for the Elderly – What Expats Must Know
The Chongyang Festival (重阳节 Chóngyáng Jié) falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month (usually October). It's China's day for respecting elders, marked by clim…
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Chinese Red Envelope (红包) Complete Guide: When to Give, How Much, and What NOT to Do
A red envelope (红包, hóngbāo) is a cash gift in a red wrapper given at Chinese New Year, weddings, births, and milestone birthdays. Key rules: always use red (ne…
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5 Chinese Holidays Foreigners Often Miss: Lantern Festival, Teachers' Day, Chongyang, Winter Solstice & Women's Day
Beyond Spring Festival, Golden Week, and Mid-Autumn, five smaller Chinese holidays matter for foreigners in Chinese social and professional life: Lantern Festiv…
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China's Ghost Festival (中元节): What Foreigners Should Respect and Avoid
The Ghost Festival (中元节, Zhōngyuán Jié) falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. It is a serious ancestral ritual day — not a fun Halloween equivalent. For…
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Qixi Festival: China's Valentine's Day Guide for Foreigners (2026)
Qixi (七夕节, Qīxī Jié) is China's Valentine's Day, falling on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. If you have a Chinese partner, this day requires effort — flower…
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China Golden Week (National Day): What Stops, What Changes, and What to Do (2026)
China's National Day Golden Week (国庆黄金周) runs October 1–7 — 7 days of public holiday. Almost everything non-essential stops: vendors, many service businesses, a…
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Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) China: A Foreigner's Respectful Guide (2026)
Qingming Festival (清明节, Qīngmíng Jié) is China's major ancestral remembrance day — families visit graves, clean tombstones, burn paper offerings, and spring-pic…
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Dragon Boat Festival China: Zongzi, Dragon Boats & What Foreigners Must Know (2026)
Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔ Jié) falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), watch or join d…
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Invited to a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Home Dinner? Etiquette Guide for Foreigners (2026)
A Mid-Autumn home dinner invitation is a significant relationship signal — you're being included in a family ritual, not just a meal. Bring: mooncakes + pomelo …
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Mid-Autumn Festival Gift Guide 2026: Mooncakes, Crabs, Tea — Complete Giving Rules
Send gifts 7–10 days before the festival (never after). For business: branded mooncake box + quality tea (¥300–800 for manager/client). For colleagues: smaller …
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Mid-Autumn Festival Guide for Foreigners in China 2026: Moon, Mooncakes, and Gift Etiquette
Mid-Autumn Festival is China’s second-biggest gift-giving event, blending Thanksgiving’s warmth with Christmas’s pressure around a full moon. Expect three days …
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Lantern Festival China Guide (元宵节): What to Do, Eat, and Experience (2026)
The Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo Jié) falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month — marking the official end of Spring Festival. The traditions: view lanter…
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Chinese New Year Taboos: What You Cannot Do on Spring Festival Day (2026)
On Chinese New Year's Day (正月初一, Zhēngyuè chūyī), the major rules are: no sweeping, no taking out trash, no using knives or scissors, no washing hair or bathing…
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Chinese New Year Red Envelopes (红包): Foreigner's Guide to Giving and Receiving (2026)
A red envelope (红包, hóngbāo) contains cash — it's the primary gift mechanism during Spring Festival. When you receive one: take it with both hands, say "谢谢，祝您身体…
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Chinese New Year Survival Guide for Foreigners: What to Do, What Not to Do (2026)
Spring Festival is China’s biggest holiday, a family reunion that dwarfs Western celebrations. If invited to New Year’s Eve dinner, arrive early, bring fruit or…
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Chinese New Year Greetings 2026: Phrases, Pinyin, and When to Use Each One
Five phrases cover 90% of your Spring Festival social needs: 1. 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) — Happy New Year. Universal. 2. 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) — Wishing you prosperi…
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Chinese New Year Gift Guide: What to Bring to a Spring Festival Home Visit (2026)
Never arrive empty-handed at a Spring Festival home visit. Best options: premium fruit basket (¥150–300), imported wine (¥200–500), quality tea gift box (¥200–6…
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Invited to Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner? Complete Etiquette Guide for Foreigners (2026)
If a Chinese person invites you to their family's New Year's Eve dinner (年夜饭, nián yèfàn): this is rare, meaningful, and not to be declined. Bring a fruit baske…
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