As a foreign teacher in China, you get time off during the country’s seven national public holidays.
Holidays go for at least three days, but the weekend is often part of the holiday so they’re not as long as you think.
What are the public holidays in China in 2022?
Here are the national public holidays for this year:
| Holidays | 2022 dates |
| New Year’s Day | January 1-3 |
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | January 31 to February 6 |
| Qingming Festival (Tombsweeping) | April 3-5 |
| Labor Day | April 30 - May 4 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 3-5 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival) | September 10-12 |
| National Day | October 1-7 |
What are make-up days?
Some holidays involve make-up days. These are extra days (on weekends) you have to work to get the holiday.
Check with your school to find out if you need to do make-up days.
Generally, if you work Monday to Friday in the public sector you won't need to worry about make-up days.
Chinese employees have to work make-up days.
Is Christmas Day a public holiday in China?
Christmas Day is not a public holiday in mainland China.
However, some schools will give you the day off as a bonus holiday. If so, the details should be in your teaching contract with the school.
Christmas Day, and the first weekday after Christmas, are public holidays in Hong Kong.
Further reading about public holidays in China
Discover more about Chinese holidays including the origins of each holiday.
