If you asked me when to visit China in 2027, I’d ask where you’re going and whether you want to experience a festival or have an easier trip. For a first visit that includes Shanghai, I’d start with April after Qingming, mid-May, early June, mid-to-late October or November after CIIE. If you’re planning to take several high-speed trains, I’d pay just as much attention to the holiday calendar as the weather.
October is a good example. I went to Wuhan over Golden Week in 2026, and I knew I was choosing a busy time to go. If you have the flexibility to travel a week or two later, that’s the October trip I’d pick, especially if your itinerary includes popular sights and several cities.
If you asked me when to visit China in 2027, I’d ask where you’re going and whether you want to experience a festival or have an easier trip. For a first visit that includes Shanghai, I’d start with April after Qingming, mid-May, early June, mid-to-late October or November after CIIE. If you’re planning to take several high-speed trains, I’d pay just as much attention to the holiday calendar as the weather.
October is a good example. I went to Wuhan over Golden Week in 2026, and I knew I was choosing a busy time to go. If you have the flexibility to travel a week or two later, that’s the October trip I’d pick, especially if your itinerary includes popular sights and several cities.
China’s official public holidays in 2027
The State Council released the mainland China holiday schedule on November 5, 2026. Two things worth circling: Chinese New Year gets nine days, and Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival each get a single Wednesday off. Official State Council notice in Chinese
Mainland China’s 2027 public holiday calendar showing seven holiday periods and five adjusted working days.
Wondering why some Sundays are marked as working days? China shifts some weekend workdays to give people a longer break in one stretch. That’s what the purple circles on my calendar show. If you’re combining sightseeing with meetings, or counting on a venue’s usual weekend hours, check its schedule directly.
The three holiday periods I’d plan around
February 5–13 — Chinese New Year
The break starts on Lunar New Year’s Eve, February 5. This is when families get together for reunion dinners and give out red packets (hongbao 红包). It’s a lovely time to experience the traditions if you’re visiting family or deliberately planning a festival trip.
The tricky part is getting around. People travel home before the holiday and return afterwards, so I’d check transport on either side of the break as well. In Shanghai, a residential street can feel unusually quiet while a popular attraction is still busy. Some small restaurants and shops take a break, so check the places you’d really miss before building a day around them. If this is your only window, I’d stay longer in one city and leave some room in the itinerary.
May 1–5 — Labour Day
I like May in Shanghai. I’d just pick a different week. The five-day break is a popular time for domestic trips, and you can feel the difference at major attractions and on intercity routes. If you’re planning Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, I’d move the trip to mid-May so you can do the day trips on weekdays.
October 1–7 — National Day Golden Week
This is the week I’d be most inclined to move if I were planning a first trip with several stops. The weather can be lovely, which is also part of the appeal for people travelling within China. If your dates are fixed, I’d book accommodation early, check when your train tickets and attraction reservations open, and give yourself more time in each city. For Shanghai, I’d leave a morning free for a walk through the former French Concession instead of packing every day with ticketed sights.
The shorter breaks and what you can experience
New Year’s Day, January 1–3. This is the Gregorian New Year. If you’re in Shanghai, pack for damp winter weather and check opening hours for anything you’ve planned for January 1.
Qingming, April 3–5. Also called Tomb-Sweeping Festival, this is when families visit graves and pay respects to their ancestors. In Shanghai, look for qingtuan (青团), the green glutinous rice dumplings sold around this time. If your dates are flexible, I’d put popular day trips after the long weekend.
Dragon Boat Festival, June 9. Look for zongzi (粽子), sticky rice wrapped in leaves, or check whether there’s a dragon boat race near where you’re staying. The official break is a single day this year. Check local event dates before booking around a race.
Mid-Autumn Festival, September 15. This one is all about family, mooncakes and the full moon. In Shanghai, try a warm savoury pork mooncake if you’ve only had the sweet kind. Mid-Autumn has its own Wednesday holiday in 2027, two weeks before Golden Week begins.
Three Shanghai events I’d check before booking
Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, April 16–18. Race weekend is confirmed at the Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading. If you’re going for F1, plan how you’ll get to and from the circuit. If you’re coming for sightseeing and have flexible dates, compare hotel prices with the weekends on either side. Formula 1 race calendar
Rolex Shanghai Masters, starting October 6. The ATP calendar lists an October 6 start, so the opening days overlap with the end of National Day Golden Week. If you’re coming for tennis, check the session schedule before locking in your flights. For a sightseeing trip, I’d lean towards the second half of October. ATP Tour 2027 calendar
China International Import Expo (CIIE), November 5–10. I’m writing this in the middle of the 2026 expo, and visitor numbers are surging. The 10th edition is scheduled for November 5–10, 2027, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai. If you’ll be here that week, I’d book your hotel early and leave extra time for trips through Hongqiao. For a leisure visit, I’d pick mid-to-late November. CIIE announcement
So when would I actually book?
April after Qingming for a first Shanghai trip with lots of walking. I’d keep a weekday free for Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Mid-May if you want spring weather and can travel after the Labour Day rush. This would be my pick for a trip based in Shanghai with a couple of nearby stops.
Early June for warm days and a Shanghai trip before the summer heat. I often hear from families planning a June trip after graduation. I’d keep an indoor option handy for rainy days and check local plans for Dragon Boat Festival on June 9.
Mid-to-late October if you prefer autumn. I’d start here for a classic Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai route and check the local weather for each stop before locking it in.
November after CIIE for cooler sightseeing days in Shanghai. I’d pick this for long neighbourhood walks, with a light layer for the evening.
These are starting points for the routes I’m asked about most often. If you’re going to China for skiing, hiking at altitude or a beach holiday, choose the season for that destination first, then use the holiday calendar to narrow down the dates.
If Shanghai is your main stop, I go into more detail on weather, local events and how the city feels month by month in my Best Time to Visit Shanghai guide. For more on what people celebrate and why, see my guide to China’s major festival traditions.
Planning a trip and unsure how much you can comfortably fit in? Tell me where you’d like to go and how you like to travel.