Introduction

The Chinese people celebrate several holidays for different reasons, including cultural, religious, and traditional events. The long-awaited public holidays offer people an opportunity to take a break and spend time with their friends and family, travel, and have fun. In this article, we will explore the various Chinese public holidays and offer some Chinese holiday greetings in English.

National Day

National Day, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a three-day holiday celebrated on October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd every year. It marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is one of the most significant holidays in the Chinese calendar. To celebrate National Day, people hang red lanterns, light fireworks, and eat mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is celebrated for fifteen days between January and February. It is the most celebrated public holiday in China and is a time to reunite with family, exchange gifts, and feast on traditional Chinese dishes. To mark the holiday, people decorate their homes with red banners, lanterns, and paper cutouts indicating good luck and fortune.

Qingming Festival

The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a day for Chinese people to remember and honor their deceased loved ones. It falls on April 4th or 5th every year, and people visit their ancestors' graves, burn incense, and offer food and flowers. It is also customary for people to fly kites during the holiday to represent sending their wishes to their ancestors.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wu Festival, is a three-day holiday celebrated in June. It commemorates the death of a Chinese poet and scholar named Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in a river. To mark the occasion, people race dragon boats, eat zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings, and hang mugwort leaves and calamus to repel evil spirits.

Labor Day

The Labor Day holiday, also known as May Day, is a commemoration of the achievements of workers and laborers. It falls on May 1st, and people have a day or two off work to commemorate the struggles and efforts of workers worldwide. To celebrate the holiday, people attend parades, enjoy the spring weather, and buy handmade crafts and items from street vendors.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated in September or October. It is a time to appreciate the moon, enjoy mooncakes, and admire the autumn scenery. During the festival, people come together with family and friends, light lanterns, and enjoy the night sky. It is a time of relaxation and reflection.

Double Ninth Festival

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a time for people to climb hills, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, and drink chrysanthemum tea. The holiday is significant for showing respect to the elderly, who are believed to be the bearers of Chinese culture and traditions.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a time to bid farewell to the year gone by and celebrate the arrival of a new year. People in China celebrate the holiday by watching CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, gathering with family, and setting off fireworks. It is a time for reflection, setting goals, and wishing for good fortune in the upcoming year.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Chinese holidays provide a chance for people to take a break from their busy lives and celebrate their culture and traditions. Whether spent with a family or friends, these holidays offer an opportunity for reflection, celebration, and appreciation. When greeting friends and family during the holidays, one can say "Happy holiday" or "Wishing you joy, happiness and good fortune during the festival." Happy holidays!