Holidays in China

Some holiday periods vary from year to year depending on the calendar. In order to be able to have several days off, following official holidays, people often work on certain Saturdays and certain Sundays of the year. This on the day before or the day after the holiday in question.

What consequences for your supply chain?

Because most companies, factories and warehouses are closed during the holidays, this has an effect on international shipments. As a result, there is a significant influx of goods around these dates.

In terms of air and sea freight, capacities are likely to be limited and congestion is to be expected in European and Chinese ports and airports. Planning transport well in advance is the motto, so that the holidays in China hinder your shipments to and from the Far East as little as possible. Feel free to contact your local MOL Logistics contact person for questions about your specific situation.

Holidays in China: Calendar 2023

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in China (but also in several Asian countries). The Chinese New Year 2022 marked the entry into the year of the Water Tiger from February 1, 2022 to January 21, 2023. The Chinese New Year 2023 will take place on January 22, giving way to the year of the Rabbit. The lunar year ends on February 9, 2024. A lunar year can have 353, 354, 355, 383, 384, or 385 days.

The Lunar New Year always occurs on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. Each year is represented by an element and an animal. Traditionally, the celebrations last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival which will take place on February 5, 2023 this year.

Public holidays: the week of January 21 to January 27, 2023. During this period, most Chinese companies will be closed. The recovery will be gradual and delivery times of goods will be affected.

Ching ming Festival

From April 3 to 5, 2023: celebration of Qing Ming Jie (or Ching Ming Festival). This is a tribute to deceased ancestors. The Day of the Dead is a national holiday traditionally dedicated to sweeping and maintaining graves.

Labour Day

May 1, 2023: Labor Day. This is one of the three major Chinese holidays.

Golden Week

From April 29 to May 3, 2023. Visiting family is central here.

Dragon Boat Festival

June 22 to 24, 2023: Dragon Boat Festival also called double five festival because it takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. On this occasion, the Chinese hold dragon boat races. The Dragon Boat Festival was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009.

Mid autumn festival

On September 29, 2023, the Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated. On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, also called Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese celebrate the moon, a symbol of harmony, family unity and togetherness. It is customary to offer friends, family or colleagues a box of mooncakes to share the joy of the holiday. Public holidays: September 29 and 30, 2023.

Golden Week

On October 1, 2023, Golden Week 2023, or National Holiday, will be celebrated. A week full of ceremonies and events will be organized on this occasion. A strong influx of tourists and visitors can lead to the saturation of transport networks and long queues around the most touristic sites. In terms of logistics, operations are slowing down. Public holidays: from October 1 to October 06, 2023.

Restore working days on Saturdays and Sundays worked in 2023

Certain Saturdays and certain Sundays will be worked to create holiday periods around traditional events.

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January 2023, work will be carried out after Chinese New Year.

On Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, 2023, work will be done before the start of the Qing Ming Jie Festival.

Sunday, June 25, 2023, work will be done on the conclusion of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Saturday 07 October and Sunday 08 October 2023, work will be carried out at the end of the Golden Week.