China Events and Festivals: When Culture Comes Alive

 

China is a dream destination for travellers who love culture, colour and history. One of the best ways to experience the country is to plan your trip around its major events and festivals. From glowing lanterns and dragon dances to snowy ice palaces in Harbin, each season offers something unique.

If you are travelling from Pakistan, understanding China’s key festivals and public holidays will help you avoid heavy crowds, choose the right dates and make the most of your holiday.

This updated guide covers the most important traditional and modern festivals in China, plus travel tips and how Malik Express Travel & Tours can help you plan a smooth, memorable trip.

 

1. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

Best time: Late January to mid-February, based on the lunar calendar

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is the biggest and most important festival in China. It marks the start of the lunar New Year and is celebrated nationwide with family reunions, fireworks, lion and dragon dances, temple fairs and red lantern displays.

During this period, China experiences the world’s largest annual human migration, with billions of trips made as people return to their hometowns.

What to expect as a traveller

• Streets decorated with red lanterns and couplets
• Lively temple fairs, cultural performances and food stalls in major cities
• Many small shops and local restaurants may close for a few days while families celebrate

Travel tips

• Trains and flights sell out early; book tickets and hotels well in advance.
• Expect higher prices and very crowded transport hubs.
• If you love festivals and do not mind crowds, this is an unforgettable cultural experience. If you prefer quieter travel, choose other dates.

2. Lantern Festival

Best time: Fifteenth day of the first lunar month, roughly two weeks after Chinese New Year

The Lantern Festival formally closes the Spring Festival celebrations. Streets, parks and rivers are filled with colourful lanterns, traditional performances and family outings. In places like Nanjing’s Qinhuai River area, spectacular lantern displays attract visitors from across China.

Do not miss

• Lantern displays in city parks and old towns
• Dragon and lion dances, folk music and food stalls
• Sweet glutinous rice balls called tangyuan, symbolising family unity

3. Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)

Best time: Around 4-6 April each year

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, is a time when families visit ancestral graves to clean them, offer food and flowers and remember their loved ones. For travellers, it is a quieter, more reflective festival that offers insight into Chinese respect for family and tradition.

Travel tips

• Some sites and parks can be busy as families enjoy spring picnics after visiting graves.
• Weather is generally mild and pleasant, making it a good time for outdoor sightseeing.

4. Dragon Boat Festival

Best time: Fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually in June

The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan. It is famous for fast-paced dragon boat races held on rivers and lakes across China, as well as sticky rice dumplings called zongzi.

Where to experience it

• Southern cities such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong and areas along major rivers often host spectacular dragon boat races.
• Many cities organise cultural shows, food markets and family events.

Traveller tip

Look for riverside events in larger cities or ask local guides where the nearest dragon boat races will be held.

5. Mid-Autumn Festival

Best time: Fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, usually in September or early October

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full harvest moon and family reunion. Families gather to eat moon cakes, appreciate the full moon and sometimes light lanterns.

What you will enjoy

• Night walks under lanterns in parks and old towns
• Beautiful moon-viewing from rivers, lakes or city viewpoints
• Tasting different flavours of moon cakes sold in bakeries and hotels
• This festival often falls close to National Day, which can create an extended holiday and busy travel season.

6. National Day and Golden Week

Best time: 1-7 October

China’s National Day on 1 October marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The first week of October is known as Golden Week, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Domestic trips during Golden Week reach hundreds of millions, and tourism spending is extremely high, making it a peak season for travel.

Pros for travellers

• Festive atmosphere with flag-raising ceremonies, fireworks and special events
• Extended holiday allows longer tours and multi-city trips

Challenges

• Very crowded tourist attractions, from the Great Wall to Shanghai’s Bund
• Train and flight tickets sell out quickly, hotel prices rise sharply
• If you prefer comfortable sightseeing, it is often best to avoid Golden Week or work closely with a travel consultant to plan around the heaviest crowd days.

7. Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

Best time: Late December to late February, with peak displays in January

In winter, the northern city of Harbin turns into a magical ice kingdom during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, the largest ice and snow festival in the world.

Massive illuminated ice castles, sculptures and slides attract millions of visitors and create one of the most photogenic winter scenes on earth.

Highlights

• Ice and Snow World, a park filled with full-scale ice buildings and colourful lights
• Sun Island snow sculpture expo
• Winter activities like ice slides, skating and skiing

Travel tips

• Temperatures can fall below minus 20 degrees Celsius; pack thermal layers, gloves, hats and snow-friendly shoes.
• Travellers from Pakistan often connect via Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou before flying to Harbin.
• Booking a guided tour is recommended to handle transfers, tickets and warm local accommodations.

8. Shanghai International Film Festival and Modern Events

For travellers who love cinema and modern culture, the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is a major event held every June. It is one of Asia’s largest film festivals and the only Chinese festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

During SIFF, the city hosts red-carpet premieres, screenings and industry events, making Shanghai particularly lively and attractive to culture lovers.

Other modern events include:

• Fashion weeks in Shanghai and Beijing
• Music and food festivals in cities across China
• Regional ethnic festivals in provinces such as Yunnan and Guizhou

These events are ideal if you want to experience contemporary Chinese culture beyond traditional holidays.

 

When Is the Best Time to Visit China for Festivals?

It depends on your interests and your tolerance for crowds.

• For classic traditions and maximum energy, choose Spring Festival or National Day / Golden Week, but book very early and be prepared for busy trains, flights and attractions.
• For mild weather and beautiful scenery, spring (Qingming) and autumn (Mid-Autumn Festival) offer comfortable temperatures and rich cultural experiences.
• For winter magic and snow activities, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is the top choice.

If you want to experience festivals but still keep things manageable, consider travelling slightly before or after the exact holiday dates. You can still see decorations, markets and cultural activities with fewer crowds.

 

Practical Travel Tips for Festival Season in China

1. Book early and stay flexible

Popular dates like Chinese New Year and Golden Week see record numbers of domestic travellers. Booking your flights, trains and hotels several months in advance is strongly recommended.

2. Choose your base cities wisely

• Beijing is ideal for historic sites, temple fairs and National Day celebrations.
• Shanghai offers a mix of modern festivals, riverfront views and easy access to nearby water towns.
• Guangzhou and southern cities are great for Dragon Boat races and warmer winter weather.

3. Understand local closures

During some holidays, especially Spring Festival, smaller shops may close, while big malls and tourist attractions usually remain open. Plan some flexible free days in your itinerary.

4. Manage crowds smartly

• Visit popular spots early in the morning.
• Use metro systems where available to avoid road traffic.
• Consider guided day tours that include skip-the-line or pre-booked entry where possible.

5. Respect traditions and customs

• Dress modestly when visiting temples or ancestral sites.
• Follow local rules around fireworks, photography in religious areas and temple etiquette.

 

How Malik Express Travel & Tours Can Help You Experience China’s Festivals

Travelling to China during major events and festivals can be incredibly rewarding but also complex to organise, especially from abroad. Malik Express Travel & Tours, with over 35 years of experience, can help you plan a smooth and enjoyable trip from Pakistan.

Here is what Malik Express can do for you:

• Suggest the best time to visit China based on your interests, whether you prefer Spring Festival fireworks, Mid-Autumn lanterns or Harbin’s ice palaces.
• Arrange flights from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and other cities to key Chinese hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Harbin.
• Design customised China tour packages that combine festival experiences with must-see attractions like the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai Bund.
• Pre-book hotels, trains and domestic flights to help you avoid festival-season shortages and price spikes.
• Provide guidance on visa documentation, travel insurance and local regulations, making your journey worry-free.
• Offer optional guided tours and local experts who explain the meaning of each festival, introduce you to traditional foods and help you navigate crowded events comfortably.

With professional planning from Malik Express, you can focus on enjoying China’s powerful mix of tradition and modern energy, instead of worrying about logistics.

 

Ready To Plan Your China Festival Journey?

From the fireworks of Spring Festival to glowing lanterns, dragon boat races and glittering ice castles, China’s events and festivals bring its culture to life in unforgettable ways.

If you are thinking about a China tour from Pakistan, get in touch with Malik Express Travel & Tours to build a festival-focused itinerary that matches your budget, travel dates and interests. Let the experts handle the details while you experience the celebrations that make China one of the world’s most exciting cultural destinations.