China observes a range of public holidays, including traditional festivals and statutory celebrations. The public holidays for 2025 in China include several multi-day events known as "Golden Weeks," where extended breaks are observed for Spring Festival and National Day. Below is a table summarising the main public holidays for 2025:
Date | Day(s) | Holiday | Details |
1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year. |
28 January – 3 February | Tuesday – Monday | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | The most significant holiday in China is the Lunar New Year with family reunions and festivities. |
4 April | Friday | Tomb Sweeping Festival (Ching Ming) | Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, it honours ancestors through visits to their graves. |
1 – 2 May | Thursday – Friday | Labour Day | Celebrates workers and labour achievements, observed as a national holiday. |
31 May – 2 June | Saturday – Monday | Dragon Boat Festival | Commemorates Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet, with dragon boat races and traditional rice dumplings. |
1 – 7 October | Wednesday – Tuesday | National Day Holiday | Celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China, featuring parades and family activities. |
6 October | Monday | Mid-Autumn Festival | A festival centred around family reunions and mooncakes, coinciding with the National Day holiday period. |
Observances for Specific Groups
Certain holidays cater to specific groups in China, such as:
8 March (Saturday): International Women’s Day (half-day for women)
4 May (Sunday): Youth Day (half-day for youths aged 14–28)
1 June (Sunday): Children’s Day (full day off for children under 14)
1 August (Friday): Army Day (half-day for military personnel)
Below are the details about adjusted working and rest days:
Date | Day | Name | Type |
January 1, 2025 | Wednesday | New Year’s Holiday | Public holiday |
January 26, 2025 | Sunday | Adjusted working day | Working day on the weekend |
January 28, 2025 | Tuesday | Spring Festival Holiday | Public holiday |
January 29, 2025 | Wednesday | Spring Festival Holiday | Public holiday |
January 30, 2025 | Thursday | Spring Festival Holiday | Public holiday |
January 31, 2025 | Friday | Spring Festival Holiday | Public holiday |
February 1, 2025 | Saturday | Spring Festival Holiday | Adjusted rest day |
February 2, 2025 | Sunday | Spring Festival Holiday | Adjusted rest day |
February 3, 2025 | Monday | Spring Festival Holiday | Adjusted rest day |
February 4, 2025 | Tuesday | Spring Festival Holiday | Adjusted rest day |
February 8, 2025 | Saturday | Adjusted working day | Working day on the weekend |
April 4, 2025 | Friday | Tomb Sweeping Festival (Ching Ming) | Public holiday |
April 5, 2025 | Saturday | Tomb Sweeping Festival | Weekend |
April 6, 2025 | Sunday | Tomb Sweeping Festival | Weekend |
April 27, 2025 | Sunday | Adjusted working day | Working day on the weekend |
May 1, 2025 | Thursday | Labour Day Holiday | Public holiday |
May 2, 2025 | Friday | Labour Day Holiday | Public holiday |
May 3, 2025 | Saturday | Labour Day Holiday | Weekend |
May 4, 2025 | Sunday | Labour Day Holiday | Weekend |
May 5, 2025 | Monday | Labour Day Holiday | Adjusted rest day |
May 31, 2025 | Saturday | Dragon Boat Festival | Public holiday |
June 1, 2025 | Sunday | Dragon Boat Festival | Weekend |
June 2, 2025 | Monday | Dragon Boat Festival | Adjusted rest day |
September 28, 2025 | Sunday | Adjusted working day | Working day on the weekend |
October 1, 2025 | Wednesday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Public holiday |
October 2, 2025 | Thursday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Public holiday |
October 3, 2025 | Friday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Public holiday |
October 4, 2025 | Saturday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Weekend |
October 5, 2025 | Sunday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Weekend |
October 6, 2025 | Monday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Public holiday |
October 7, 2025 | Tuesday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Adjusted rest day |
October 8, 2025 | Wednesday | National Day + Mid-Autumn Festival | Adjusted rest day |
October 11, 2025 | Saturday | Adjusted working day | Working day on the weekend |
The calculation of overtime pay in China depends on the type of rest days and the working hour system implemented by the employer. Below are the general guidelines for overtime payment:
Standard Working Hour System:
For work on an official public holiday, employees are entitled to no less than 300% of their normal wage.
For work on an adjusted rest day (e.g., weekend days swapped for workdays), if the rest day cannot be rescheduled, not less than 200% of the normal wage must be paid.
Comprehensive Working Hour System:
For work on official public holidays, employees must receive no less than 300% of their normal wage.
No overtime payment is provided for work on adjusted working days or weekends, as rest days are not explicitly outlined in this system.
Non-Fixed Work Hour System:
For work on public holidays, employees are entitled to a minimum of 300% of their normal wage.
However, regional differences apply:
Beijing: Employees under this system are not entitled to overtime pay for public holiday work.
Shanghai: Public holiday hours are considered overtime, requiring employers to compensate at 300% of the normal wage.
Adjusted Working Days (Weekends):
For work on adjusted working days that fall on weekends, no overtime payment is required under any system.
These provisions reflect China's labour laws and regional interpretations, ensuring fair compensation while accommodating local practices
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