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Chinese Public Holidays

China has 7 legal national holidays in a year, including New Year's Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, May Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. At the festivals, all Chinese people will be on vacation.
New Year's Day (1 Jan, 1 day holiday)
In 46 B.C. the Roman emperor Julius Caesar first established January 1 as New Year's Day. Caesar felt that the month named after the god of beginnings, hearths and gateways ("Janus") would be the appropriate "door" to the year.
Spring Festival (Normally in Jan or Feb, 7 day's holiday)
Spring Festival is often called "New Year" due to the lunar calendar used in Chinese history. According to this, it is the first day of the first lunar month, and marks the beginning of a year. This is often associated with the twelve animals of the Zodiac, with different animals being associated with the year in twelve yearly cycles.
Qingming Festival (5 April, 1 day holiday)
Qingming means clear and bright, is the day for mourning the dead.
Labour Day (1 May, 3 days holiday)
A tradition has been costumed for many years. Labour Day marks a special celebration for the workers in China, offering them a holiday as a testament to their cause. This echo's the American Labour day holiday which was legislated by Congress 100 years ago.
Dragon Boat Festival (Normally in May or June, 1 day holiday)
The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by boat races in the shape of dragons. Competing teams row their boats forward to a drumbeat racing to reach the finish end first.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Normally in Sep. or Oct., 1 day holiday)
It is an evening celebration when families gather together to light lanterns, eat moon cakes and appreciate the round moon. On that night, the moon appears to be at its roundest and brightest. The full moon is a symbol for family reunion, which is why that day is also known as the Festival of Reunion.
The National Day (1 Oct, 7 days holiday)
The People's Republic of China's National Day was originated on October 1st, 1949. The holiday marks the first time the five star flag was raised. The ceremony took place in front of 300,000 people as Chairman Mao declared the founding of the PRC.

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