9. Children's Day
Celebrated on Jun. 1st, Children's Day is a festival for children all over the world. Every year, when the day comes, the whole nation is full of children's smiling faces, songs and great joy in China.

Parents usually take their children to visit places of great interest thus helping them learn more about Chinese history and culture. Schools organize the showing of excellent children's films. In kindergartens, children present their special skills such as singing and dancing to parents and teachers. Besides, some children are lucky to receive special gifts from their elderships.

10. Dragon Boat Festival

Boat Race, Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the Chinese 5th lunar month. Many beautiful stories all suggest the origin of this festival. But the most popular one is the legend of Qu Yuan who was a patriotic poet living in the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC). On this day, Chinese people like to eat Zongzi and race dragon boats. Click for more information about Dragon Boat Festival.

11. Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party
In May, 1938, Chairman Mao suggested that July 1st be the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party to mark the first central committee of the Communist Party of China held in July 1921. From then on, Chinese people celebrate the birth of the Chinese Communist Party every year to remind them that without the Communist Party, there would be no precious happy life today. 

12. Army Day
Falling on Aug. 1st, Amy Day is set aside to commemorate the contribution that the PLA has made to China both past and present. Chinese leaders and public figures go to veterans' homes to show their great concern for them, and symposia and get-togethers are held for the soldiers on that day. In some places, soldiers and their dependents are rewarded with the opportunity to visit tourist attractions for free while some are presented with beneficial books to mark the occasion.

13. Teachers' Day
Teachers are praised as the engineers of human spirit. In order to carry forward the fine tradition of respecting teachers and valuing education, the Chinese Government designated that Teachers' Day fall on September 10th every year. The reason to choose this day is because when the fall semester begins, a fine studious atmosphere will be created if activities of respecting teachers and valuing education are held.

14. Mid-Autumn Festival
 Falling on the 15th day of the Chinese 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion to Chinese people, thus it is one of the most important traditional festivals. There are many beautiful legends about the origin of this festival. Admiring the full moon and eating moon cakes are the traditional activities held on this day. Click for more information about Mid-Autumn Festival.

15. National Day 
Oct. 1st is China's National Day. It is a festival of great importance to the people nationwide and they celebrate it with great felicitation. In the early morning, numerous people arrive at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to see the ceremonial raising of the national flag. This is followed by a great ceremonial review of troops on the Tiananmen Square and various festive activities are held in different regions. When evening comes, fireworks are set off to illuminate the sky brightly and gallantly.

In 1999, the Chinese government decided that the three days designated for the National Day celebration be combined with the two weekends on either side, thus giving people a seven-day vacation. Also because of the great indulgences during the week, it is regarded as another Golden Week for the Chinese people when they can go out to visit some long-cherished tourist attractions or doing other things people like to do.

Moon Cakes, Traditional Food of Mid-Autumn Festival

Tourists in Tiananmen Square  during the National Day

16. Journalists' Day
Falling on November 8th, Journalists' Day is set up to praise the hard work of journalists. The day is celebrated to acknowledge the prominent achievement of journalists in promoting the development of China's journalism.

 

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