A little planning
and knowledge will go a long way toward making your trip to the People's Republic of China go
smoothly. Learning more about China and obeying the laws and respecting
the customs will make your stay as pleasant and incident-free as possible.
Start by ensuring you have the proper passport and visa for your visit. Check the State Department website for any active travel warnings or travel advisories. While you are there, be sure to take note of key information like the nearest U.S. consulate to your destination, available English-speking medical facilities, and any limitations on what can be carried either in or out of China.
That takes care of the basics, but there's a lot more to a smooth, safe trip to China.
Passport Requirements
All American travelers require a passport to travel internationally. That said, even a valid passport could be rejected if it doesn't meet China's specific criteria. China is one of the countries that requires visitors to have at least six months of validity remaining on their passport before entering. China also requires each visiting traveler to have a minimum of two blank pages remaining in their pasport book.
Visas are also required for both entry and exit. For more, check out our full guide to China's travel requirements here.
Once you are committed to traveling to China, you should sign up for the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program. This totally free service will provide you with the latest travel advisories as well as serve as a critical method of contact for resolving passport emergencies abroad, initiating an emergency evacuation, or receiving urgent information from home.
Visitors to China
should be aware that Chinese regulations strictly prohibit travel in “closed”
areas without special permission. However, over 1,200 cities and areas
in China are open to visitors without special travel permits, including
most major scenic and historical sites. If you need to know if an area
is open to travel without a permit, seek advice from the nearest Chinese
embassy or consulate, or, if you are already in China, from the U.S. Embassy
in Beijing, the nearest U.S. consulate, or the local Chinese public security
bureau.
Chinese currency is
called yuan or, more commonly, renminbi (RMB).
Foreign currency (cash
or traveler’s checks) may be exchanged for Chinese currency at licensed
exchange facilities of the Bank of China and other authorized banks.
Money exchange facilities
are available at major airports, hotels, and department stores. Major
brands of traveler’s checks are accepted at such exchange facilities
and cash advances against a credit card can be arranged, a service charge
is usually added. Consult with your bank before departing the United States
to be sure that your brand of check or credit card will be accepted. Major
credit cards (American Express, Mastercard and Visa) are accepted by most
major hotels and in many well-known restaurants. ATMs compatible with
US bank cards are also available throughout Hong Kong and to a limited
extent in major Mainland cities such as Shanghai and Beijing.
Items such as watches,
radios, cameras, and calculators imported duty free for personal use may
not be transferred or sold to others. Gifts and articles carried on behalf
of others must be declared to the customs inspector and are subject to
duty.
Chinese customs regulations prohibit the import or export of the following
items:
arms,
ammunition, and explosives
radio transmitter-receivers and principal parts
Chinese currency (renminbi)
books, films, records, tapes, etc. which are “detrimental to
China’s politics, economy, culture, and ethics”
poisonous drugs and narcotics
infected animal or plant products
infected foodstuffs.
Note: Videotapes and other recordable media may
be confiscated by Chinese customs to determine that they do not violate
prohibitions noted above. Tapes are sometimes held for several
months before being returned. (There is no guarantee that they will ever
be returned.)
Export of the following
items is also prohibited:
valuable
cultural relics and rare books relating to Chinese history, culture, and
art
rare animals, rare plants and their seeds
precious metals and diamonds and articles made from them.
Antiques and imitations
approved for export are marked with a red wax seal.
According to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, improper glazing of some dinnerware for
sale in China can cause lead contamination in food. Therefore, unless
you have proof of its safety, dinnerware purchased in China should be
used for decorative purposes only. Chinese commercial shipments of dinnerware
to the United States are tested to conform to U.S. safety standards.
Movie cameras and
videotaping equipment should be declared upon entry into China.
Chinese customs officials
encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission)
Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial
samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters,
located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet
in the United States. For additional information, please call telephone
(212) 354-4480, or send e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org or visit http://www.uscib.org
for details.
Information concerning
regulations and procedures governing items that may be brought into China
is available through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United
States.
China has a low crime
rate; however crime has increased in the past few years, principally in
the major cities. U.S. citizens and other foreigners have seldom been
victims of violent crime.
However, whenever you travel internationally - wherever your destination - there are many required considerations and precautions to ensure your safety abroad. For more, see our complete guide to international travel safety.
Remember: while in
China, you are subject to Chinese laws and regulations. Laws in China
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do
not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.
Please exercise caution and carefully obey local laws. Penalties for breaking
the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.
Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested
or imprisoned.
Chinese laws prohibit
public demonstrations without a valid permit obtained from the Chinese
Public Security Bureau in the city where the demonstration is planned.
Chinese authorities
have seized documents, literature, and letters which they deem to be pornographic
or political in nature or those which are intended for religious proselytizing.
If you seek to enter China with religious materials in a quantity greater
than what is considered needed for personal use, you could be detained
and fined.
Religious proselytizing
or passing out of religious materials is strictly forbidden. Americans
suspected of engaging in such activities have been fined, arrested or
deported.
Magazines with photographs
considered commonplace in Western countries, including some advertisements,
may be regarded as pornography. Books, films, records, tapes, etc., which
are “detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture, and
ethics” will be seized by Chinese Customs to determine that they
do not violate these prohibitions.
Foreign visitors and
residents in China have sometimes been detained and heavily fined for
having improper sexual relations with Chinese citizens. In most of these
cases, the foreigners involved had invited Chinese citizens to their hotel
rooms. Any U.S. citizen who is detained by Chinese authorities for questioning
regarding this or any other violation of Chinese law or regulations should
notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate as soon as possible.
Criminal penalties
for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in China are strict.
Convicted offenders may receive severe jail sentences and fines.
Under the U.S. -P.R.C.
Consular Convention of 1980, U.S. consular officers shall be notified
if a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained no later than four days after
the arrest or detention.
Under the Convention,
U.S. consular officers must be informed upon request of the reasons for
the arrest or detention and have a right to visit the citizen after a
formal request is made by the consular officer. U.S. consular officers
cannot serve as attorneys or give legal advice. They can, however, provide
a list of local English speaking attorneys you may retain and help you
find legal representation.
U.S. citizens have
rights to consular access under the U.S. - PRC Consular Convention and
should insist upon contact with the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. consulates
general. If you are denied this right, continue to protest.
China does not recognize
dual nationality. If you are a citizen of both China and the U.S., you
may experience difficulty entering and departing China on your U.S. passports.
In some cases, U.S. passports have been seized by Chinese authorities.
Dual nationals may be subject to Chinese laws which impose special obligations.
Such persons are often required to use Chinese documentation to enter
China.
The United States
requires that all U.S. citizens enter and depart the United States on
U.S. passports. Dual nationals who enter and depart China using a U.S.
passport and a valid PRC visa retain the right of U.S. consular access
and protection under the U.S.-PRC Consular Convention. The ability of
the U.S. Embassy or consulates general to provide normal consular services
would be extremely limited should a dual national enter China on a Chinese
or other passport.
China does not recognize
the U.S. citizenship of children born in China, when one of the parents
is a PRC national. Such children are required to depart China on PRC travel
documents. Children born in the United States to PRC national parents,
who are neither lawful permanent residents nor U.S. citizens, are not
recognized as U.S. citizens under Chinese nationality law. Although Chinese
consulates have frequently issued visas to such individuals in error,
they are treated solely as PRC nationals by Chinese authorities when in
China.
Before traveling to
China, dual nationals should contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services
at (202) 647-6769 or the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for additional information.
If you are planning
to conduct business in China, please be vigilant in investigating the
companies you plan to work with to ensure they are reputable or to learn
whether a prior history of disputes exists.
The confiscation of
foreign passports of persons involved in business disputes has increased
in China in recent years, frequently resulting in individuals being placed
under house arrest or being unable to leave China until the dispute is
satisfactorily resolved. As a valid Chinese visa is required in order
to depart China, obtaining a replacement for a confiscated U.S. passport
will not facilitate exiting the PRC and the Chinese government will block
your departure.
Tourist travel in
China can be extremely strenuous and may be especially debilitating to
someone in poor health. Tours often involve walking long distances and
up steep hills. All, especially those with a history of coronary/pulmonary
problems, should have a complete medical checkup before making final travel
plans. It is very important to schedule rest periods during your touring
activities.
China discourages travel by persons who are ill, pregnant, or are of advanced
age. Visa applicants over 60 are sometimes required to complete a health
questionnaire. If medical problems exist, a letter from your physician
in the United States explaining treatment and, if relevant, copies of
your most recent electrocardiograms, would be helpful in case a medical
emergency occurs in China.
China lacks handicapped-accessible
facilities. Even travel to popular destinations such as the Great Wall
and the Forbidden City can present problems to persons with disabilities.
If you require such facilities, you may want to discuss this with your
travel agent or host well in advance of your proposed travel.
Air pollution in the
large cities is severe, particularly in winter, and respiratory ailments
are common.
Be aware that HIV
has become a significant concern in China. You should always ask doctors
and dentists to use sterilized equipment and be prepared to pay for new
syringe needles in hospitals or clinics.
Do not to drink tap
water in China. Hotels almost always supply boiled water that is safe
to drink. Buy bottled water and/or carbonated drinks. Make sure you carry
water purification tablets to use when neither boiled water nor bottled
drinks are available.
If you are planning
to rent an apartment with gas appliances while in China, be aware that
in some areas natural gas is not scented to warn occupants of gas leaks
or concentrations. Also, heaters may not always be well vented, thereby
allowing excess carbon monoxide to build up in living spaces.
There have been fatal
accidents involving American citizens, so make sure all gas appliances
are properly vented or install gas and carbon monoxide detectors in your
residence. These devices are not widely available in China, and they should
be purchased prior to arrival.
You can obtain information
on vaccinations and other health precautions for travelers in the United
States from local health departments, private doctors, travel clinics,
and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s
website at http://www.cdc.gov.
You can select hospitals
in major Chinese cities that have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang).
These wards feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians
who are both knowledgeable and skilled. Most of these VIP wards also provide
medical services to foreigners, feature English-speaking doctors and nurses,
and may even accept credit cards for payment.
Even in the VIP/Foreigner
wards of major hospitals, however, American patients have frequently encountered
difficulty due to cultural and regulatory differences. Physicians and
hospitals have sometimes refused to supply American patients with complete
copies of their Chinese hospital medical records, including laboratory
test results, scans, and x-rays. Physicians have also frequently discouraged
Americans from obtaining second opinions from outside physicians. Hospitals
have sometimes been reluctant to release patients for medical evacuation
in cases where they would prefer to keep the patient for an extended stay.
Ambulances do not
carry sophisticated medical equipment, and ambulance personnel generally
have little or no medical training. Therefore, injured or seriously ill
Americans should take taxis or other immediately available vehicles to
the nearest major hospital rather than waiting for ambulances to arrive.
In rural areas, only
rudimentary medical facilities are generally available. Medical personnel
in rural areas are often poorly trained and are often reluctant to accept
responsibility for treating foreigners, even in emergency situations.
Foreign-operated medical providers catering to expatriates and visitors
are available, though their services are usually considerably more expensive
than hospitals and clinics operated by local government health authorities.
SOS International,
Ltd., operates clinics and provides medical evacuation and medical escort
services in several Chinese cities. For medical emergencies anywhere in
mainland China, Americans can call the SOS International, Ltd., 24-hour
“Alarm Center” in Beijing at (86-10) 64629100 or in Shanghai
at (86-21) 62950099 for advice and referrals to local facilities. SOS
International Alarm Centers can also be contacted in Hong Kong at (852)
24289900 and in the United States at (1-800) 523-6586.
Additional information
on medical providers specializing in treating foreigners, including dental
and orthodontic clinics, is available on the U.S. Embassy's web page.
Americans are advised
to travel to China with both health insurance and medical evacuation insurance
(often included in so-called “travel” insurance and provided
as part of a tour group package).
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Even when insurance does cover services received in China, it will usually
be necessary to pay first and then file for reimbursement with the insurance
company upon returning to the United States.
Supplemental insurance
with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation,
is strongly recommended and can be purchased in the United States prior
to travel.
Some insurance policies
also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of
remains in the event of death.
Recent medical evacuations
by air ambulance from China to nearby areas have cost over US $50,000.Most standard U.S. medical insurance policies do not cover the cost of
such medical evacuations.
Modern tourist facilities
are available in major cities in China. China is full of natural and man-made
wonders. Its great rivers include the Yellow and the Yangtze.
Hong Kong SAR is cosmopolitan
and highly developed, and a popular destination.
Macau SAR has well
developed tourism facilities. Gambling and tourism are some of the major
factors in Macau's economy.
There are also many
mountain ranges including the Himalayas along the southern border of Tibet
and the Kunlun Mountains stretching east and west along Tibet's
northern edge. Part of the Gobi desert is located in China's Inner
Mongolia.
Package tours, while often more expensive than self arranged travel, will insulate you from
the difficulties of booking travel by air, rail, bus or car in China.
Transportation systems have not expanded as fast as the number of Chinese
and international travelers has increased. Planes and trains are often
overbooked.
Tickets or reservations
for onward travel should be reconfirmed at each stop. Hotels, for a fee,
will assist in making reservations and purchasing tickets.
Train travel can be difficult to reserve, even for the experienced traveler. Round trip rail
tickets are not generally available without the services of a travel agency.
Beware of counterfeit train tickets. Unethical entrepreneurs manufacture
and sell such tickets at railway stations.
China's vast area, comparable to the area of the United States, borders
14 countries and four seas. Known formally as the People's Republic of
China, it has a 4000-year-old heritage that reads like a best-selling
historical novel and stands as a testament to its enduring will. Modern
China is in many ways a complex mix of past and future; its traditions,
natural beauty, and economic and cultural resurgence has made it a
popular international tourist destination. Here is a small sampling of
must-see tourist attractions in China.
Pandas are the cutest creatures around and just
make you want to cuddle, however, poor conservation habits caused them
to lose their habitats by destroying their forests. That's where the
beautiful people of Chengdu, China stepped in with the Giant Panda
Breeding and Research Base. Here, their six pandas grew into 90 through
careful and determined efforts to bring them back. You can visit them
at the breeding base and see them lounging, sleeping, and eating bamboo
in natural enclosures. Try to start your visit sometime between 8:00
and 10:00 in the morning during their feeding hours; it's when they are
the most active. Once you've had your fill adorable Giant Pandas (is
that possible?), check out the mischievous Red Pandas, also on the list
of endangered animals. Next, head to the nursery to see the always
entertaining panda babies.
China's Yangtze River at 6,300 km is the third longest river in the
world, behind only the Nile and the Amazon. As it winds its way through
nine provinces from Tibet to the East China Sea, what better way to
experience its majesty than on a Yangtze river cruise?
One of the most popular places to cruise the Yangtze is between the
cities of Yichang and Chongqing in either direction. Highlights along
the way include the magnificent three gorges, the elephant shaped rock,
the enigmatic hanging coffins, and the mystifying Fengdu Ghost City.
Spend some time exploring the natural beauty surrounding the ancient
city of Yichang and the Three Gorges Dam. On the opposite end, check
out the Giant Pandas at Chongqing Zoo, and try some of the city's
famous spicy dishes.
Perhaps one of the most spectacular archaeological finds in the world
is that of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses located in Xian, China.
The first hints of this impressive find were discovered in 1974 by
local farmers; the terracotta statues date back to the late third
century BCE. During this time the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang
had this impressive funerary art created. When he passed, they were
buried with him to protect him in the afterlife. The museum that was
created to showcase these wonderful historical pieces covers about
16,300 square meters in three pits. Arranged in traditional battle
formations, more than 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, weapons, and
chariots have been unearthed in these pits. This area is now combined
with the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum as a single attraction.
Best of Shanghai
Shanghaia at Night by Robert S. Donovan/Flickr.com
Shanghai is a city of contradictions where the past and the future
collide in the most interesting ways. Let your first experience in
Shanghai be a ride on the Maglev, a magnetic levitation train goes zero
to 220 mph in about two minutes. Contrast sophisticated and futuristic
Pudong with the historic and classic Bund, from Vue Bar on the 32nd
floor of Hyatt on the Bund. Don't miss the noodle ninjas who combine
the tradition of kung fu with the culinary traditions of hand-pulled
noodles and hot pot; the best spot is for this experience is Hai Di Lao
Hot Pot. Shoppers, hit high-energy Nanjing Road for the best in
high-end luxury items, shop the Old Quarter for Cultural Revolution
memorabilia, or check out Xintiandi where 1920s Shanghai affluence
meets modern artisan boutiques. Shanghai has parks galore, but be sure
to check out midday ballroom dancing at Fuxing Park, and see the
tallest statue of Frederic Chopin in the world at Zhongshan Park.
Check out the top-rated tours of Shanghai
There are many places along the Great Wall of China to visit, but there
is one in particular that is a little quieter with a less touristy vibe
than the rest. That is the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall that was
originally built to keep out nomadic tribes from the north; it is still
an almost perfectly preserved section of the wall. Its condition is
due, in part, to the lack of tourist shops along this portion making it
a less visited area by tour companies. You can walk undisturbed for
almost an hour looking out over the gorgeous pines and orchards in the
mountains just north of Beijing. Along with the picturesque landscape,
there are more than 20 watch towers to explore along this stretch of
the wall. Four villages, including Mutianyu, give you a glimpse into
today's rural China.
Full-Day Beijing Experience With Mutianyu Great Wall
The Yuanyang Rice Terraces are an artistic masterpiece, a surreal
experience by any measure that should be on anyone's bucket list who
has the opportunity to travel China's southwest. Located on the slopes
of Ailao Mountain in Yuanyang County, Yunnan near the borders of
Vietnam and Laos, this stunning abstract of color has been mindfully
created with great care since the Tang Dynasty. The Hani people have
used traditional farming methods to shape 13,000 hectares of rice
terraces over generations, not only creating something visually
stunning, but ecologically dynamic and in tune with nature. To get the
most out of this other-worldly landscape, the best views are sunrise
from the Duoyishu scenic area, and sunset from the Bada scenic area.
The best view for the most intense colors among the rice terraces is
from the Laohuzui scenic area. Grab your camera for some unbelievable
shots.
Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park
Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park
If you're a fan of waterfalls, then the Huangguoshu Waterfall in the
Anshun, Guizhou province of China should not be missed on your next
trip to China. It is one of the largest waterfalls in East Asia,
measuring an astounding 255 feet high and 331 feet wide. The primary
waterfall takes up a large portion of its length and width with little
waterfalls combining with it. The waterfalls' cluster pattern changes
depending on the season, making as high as 18 to a cluster at some
points. The most intriguing aspect of this tourist attraction is the
three different views it affords depending on where your vantage point
is located. You can see it from a distance from a viewing pavilion, get
an aerial look from a separate viewing area, or stare up from below in
a third viewing location. All three offer a unique experience and none
should be missed. If you really want to be blown away, come view it at
night.
One of the best things about visiting China is abundant and diverse
historical and cultural finds. Among them is the Leshan Giant Buddha
located in the Sichuan Province a little east of Leshan City. The giant
smiling Buddha was carved into stone at the junction of three rivers:
Min River, Dadu River, and Qingyi River to offer protection to the
people who worked there. A monk named Hai Tong raised the money to
create this almost 250-foot carving, because he believed a water spirit
was making the waters too dangerous. The Buddha was carved to control
the water spirit; it took 90 years to finish. The size alone is
astonishing, but the intricacy of the statue is what is truly amazing.
From the 1,021 buns in the coiled hair of the Buddha to the drainage
system that was put in place to displace rainwater. It is a truly
exceptional sight.
The Mogao Grottoes are a system of Buddhist cave temples located south
of the city of Dunhuang in Gansu. Originally there were roughly 1000
cave temples, of which around 750 have survived and 30 are open to the
public. The caves were built by monks traveling the Silk Road from
India to China and served as a place to rest, meditate, and translate
sutras. They were painted with elaborate frescoes that were used in
meditation and also told a story. Multitudes of artists worked on the
frescoes between the 4th and 14th centuries, and five dynasties are
depicted among the cave temples in unique styles. The caves also
contained thousands of manuscripts in different languages. This is the
ideal destination for exploring centuries of Chinese culture. There is
a research and exhibition center with information in English; it also
serves lunches.
The zoo is not that great, but what the zoo lacks, the aquarium more
than makes up for it. The Beijing Aquarium is also recognized as one of
the largest aquariums in the world with a myriad of marine animals. In
the zoo, not only will you enjoy the animals kept there, but you can
also walk through its gardens and admire its lakes and ponds.
These are just a few of the magnificent destinations China has to
offer. Before you go, you will need to make sure your passport is valid
a minimum of six months beyond your visit, and you must obtain a
tourist visa from the Chinese embassy in the U.S. If you are traveling
to Tibet, you also need to get a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Lhasa. To
travel around Tibet and explore all it has to offer, you must be with a
group tour and get an Alien's Travel Permit. If your tour goes into any
militarily sensitive areas, you will also need a Military Area Entry
Permit. Your Chinese travel agency can arrange all the travel permits
necessary for your trip. Keep in mind that areas of Tibet may be closed
to tourists by the Chinese government with little notice.
China currently has 7 official national holidays. There were major changes made to Chinese public holidays in 2008. The Labor Day golden week was abandoned and replaced by the three new holidays named Qingming festival, Duanwu festival and Mid-Autumn festival. A characteristic of Chinese holidays is that holidays that fall on a weekend are usually swapped with the closest weekday so that there can be a longer period of celebration. Like all other country's national holidays, those of the Chinese often represent their unique culture and heritage. It's good to be aware of these holidays if you plan to travel to China so that you can plan appropriately.
New Year's Day (1 Jan)
This is the start of a new Gregorian calendar and is a day for reflection and relaxation in China. However, keep in mind that this is not a particularly festive time of the year as it is in the western world since the Chinese celebrate New Year according to their own lunar calendar.
Chinese New Year
Starting with the Chinese New Year, as this
celebration kicks off the events and festivals in China, you will
actually find this referred to as the Spring Festival in China itself.
This is the longest and most important holiday in the country and you
will find that different regions have their own individual ways of
celebrating this important holiday. There are several elements that are
consistent across the country though, so you will get to experience
these wherever you are visiting.
Like Christmas and the New Year in the Western world, the Chinese New Year is a time for families and friends to get together to eat meals, and exchange gifts. The tradition of giving red envelopes (hongbao) is very common, and
inside these red envelopes are monetary gifts. Homes, stores, streets
and offices are decorated with duilian which are lines of poetry that
wish good fortune and health on those who pass by.
The parades that include dragon dances or lion dances are the most
revered by tourists coming to visit China as these dragons and lions
are a very strong part of the identity of the Chinese. Fireworks are
also in abundance. In all, the celebrations cover a period of two
weeks, culminating with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day.
Thousands of lanterns illuminated in the night makes this a very
beautiful and moving event to witness.
Qingming Festival
This festival falls on the fifth solar term of the Chinese lunar
calendar and generally takes place on either the 4th or 5th of April on
the Gregorian calendar. This is a day to remember and honor ancestors
at grave sites. Tombs are swept and gifts are offered to these
ancestors in the form of tea, food, wine and more. Willow branches are
sometimes carried or put up outside homes to fend off the evil spirit
wanderer of Qingming. During Qingming, people also go on outings with
their families, sing, dance and enjoy the outdoors. Couples begin to
court and traditionally kites are flown in the shape of characters from
the Chinese opera.
Labor Day (1 May)
Labor Day was initially a three-day holiday in China; however, it was
reduced to a one-day holiday in 2008. Like other countries, Labor Day
in China celebrates the work of the general labor movement.
Dragon Boat Festival
China's Dragon Boat Festival is another of the more famous festivals
celebrated here, largely because dragon boat festivals have become
popular in the Western world too. Officially known as Duanwu in China, and also sometimes as the "Double Fifth", this festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.
The Dragon Boat Festival is thought to be an ancient festival in China,
though its origins are debated, with different traditions preferred in
differing regions of the country. The most popular theory is that the
festival commemorates the death of the poet Qu Yuan.
The local people of the ancient state of Chu dropped sticky rice
triangles that were wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river so that
they would feed Qu Yuan in the afterlife, and then they paddled out in
boats to scare away the fish. It's the paddling in boats that is
thought to have given birth to the dragon boat festival.
If you're coming to China to experience the Dragon Boat Festival, the
highlight is probably going to be the dragon boat racing, but the
festival also includes the preparation and eating of some very tasty
foods and drinks, along with some ancient rituals that are said to
promote health and well being. The date of the Dragon Boat Festival
changes each year, plus festivities can take place at different times
in different cities.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Known also as the moon and lantern festival, this holiday is
held during a full moon on the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the
Chinese calendar (generally September or early October). This is a day
to gather families and/or crops, give thanks for unions/harvests and
praying for babies, a spouse, longevity, beauty and other similar
things.
National Day (1 Oct)
This day celebrates China's day of independence. Government-organized
events such as concerts and massive firework shows are hallmarks of the
celebration on this day. Places of public significance are decorated
and portraits of past leaders are displayed.