Golden Week is one of the most important periods in the Chinese holiday calendar. Golden Week 2026 falls between October 1st and 7th, and it commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China. How is it celebrated, and how does it impact doing business with China?
Golden Week 2026 – How is it celebrated in China?
Golden Week is a time of mass travel and family gatherings. Hundreds of millions of people travel across the country, and the tourism, catering, and retail industries are thriving. Hence the name of this period – Golden Week. To capitalize on the increased demand, prices for accommodation, attractions, and hotels often increase. At the same time, for many sectors of the economy, it is a period of almost complete shutdown.
The most important element of Golden Week is the formal ceremonies, such as military parades (every few years) and the ceremonial flag-raising in Tiananmen Square. Fireworks shows and multimedia shows, such as laser shows or water and light shows, are organized for the people.
What does Golden Week mean for companies?
From the perspective of companies doing business in China or with Chinese business partners, Golden Week is one of the most problematic holidays of the year. During this time:
- Factories are closed or operating at minimal staffing levels
- Offices and institutions are closed
- International shipping experiences downtime
- Order fulfillment times are significantly longer
In practice, downtime often begins several days before the celebrations begin and continues after the official end of the holiday.
Communicating with a Chinese supplier during Chinese holidays
Golden Week is a period when contact with Chinese business partners is limited. Messages may not be responded to until after the holiday ends, and urgent matters requiring decisions remain unaddressed. Many production plants and offices close, and ports operate at a limited capacity. These measures cause supply chain disruptions.
For this reason, it is crucial to confirm schedules in advance and avoid critical deadlines in early October. Companies that fail to incorporate Golden Week into their plans often experience delays, misunderstandings, and stressful project mishaps.