The National Day of the People’s Republic of China is celebrated on October 1st and begins the so-called Golden Week that lasts till October 7th. It is a holiday commemorating the victory of the Chinese Communist Party over Kuomintang in the civil war and the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China on Tiananmen Square in 1949 by Mao Zedong. During Golden Week, all the institutions and workplaces are closed, and factories stop production, allowing employees to go home and celebrate. The 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 29th and 30th, overlapping the two holidays and giving Chinese people additional days off before the Golden Week 2023.
Golden Week 2023 celebrations
During Golden Week, public spaces, especially Tiananmen Square, are decorated for the occasion. Chinese people can participate in concerts, fireworks shows, and various sports and cultural events organized by the government. In selected years, military parades and flag-raising ceremonies are held. The last military parade took place in 2019 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China.
Golden Week – production and logistics
During the Golden Week, most Chinese travel not only inside China but also to Asian or European countries. Train stations and airports are overcrowded, and traffic jams are formed on the streets that can last even a whole day. Like before Lunar New Year, the factories stop production, and transport is significantly reduced due to short-staffed ports and terminals.
To fill as many orders as possible before the holiday break starts, factories focus less on product quality control and technical specifications and prioritize producing the right amount of goods. At this time, the demand for export from China rises significantly. Importers want to ensure that their products leave China before the production stops, so they place the orders and reserve place for their cargo on board in advance. For this reason, an increase in freight prices ensues, and the container space is limited. Contacting Chinese partners may also be challenging. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that you place your orders early to send the goods on time since the delays can last even a few months.
Golden Week – a summary
When deciding on importing from China, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the Chinese holiday calendar as it significantly impacts the country’s production. For the Chinese, Golden Week is a time to relax, travel and meet with family and friends, so remember that production is halted during this season. Plan the orders carefully before the Golden Week to avoid stressful situations.