National Day (国庆节, Guóqìng jié) is China's most important secular holiday, celebrated every 1 October — a Thursday in 2026 — and the start of a week-long national break. Here's the history.
See China's holiday calendar or the October 2026 calendar.
Why is China's National Day on October 1?
It marks 1 October 1949, the day Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China from the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) in Beijing, following the end of the Chinese Civil War.
The day became China's official National Day by decree later that year.
Golden Week
National Day anchors one of China's two "Golden Weeks" — a roughly seven-day public holiday created by combining the National Day holidays with adjacent days off. It's one of the busiest travel periods on Earth, with hundreds of millions of trips made across the country.
In some years, the Golden Week overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival (see its history), extending the celebrations.
How National Day is celebrated
- Flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square at dawn, drawing large crowds.
- Major anniversaries (such as the 70th in 2019) feature large military parades and mass pageantry.
- Fireworks, concerts, and decorations nationwide.
- Widespread domestic travel and tourism during Golden Week.
Quick answers
Why is China's National Day on October 1? It marks the founding of the People's Republic of China, proclaimed by Mao Zedong on 1 October 1949.
What is Golden Week? A roughly week-long public holiday beginning on National Day (1 October), one of China's biggest travel periods.
How is National Day celebrated? With a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen, fireworks, and — on major anniversaries — large parades, plus nationwide travel during Golden Week.
When is China's National Day 2026? Thursday, 1 October 2026 — it is always 1 October.