National Day: Chinese celebrate October 1st as National Day in honor of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. ��������

Other national holidays: Spring Festival (the celebration of Chinese New Year, generally between the last 10-day period of January and mid-February) and International Labor Day (May 1).

Major holidays in China are occasions for family reunions and traveling. Starting in October 1999, China's three official holidays became "Golden Weeks" each with seven days vacation made possible by working four extra days before the commencement of the holiday and afterwards.

Traditional festivals:

January 5-February 5

Ice-and-Snow Festival--An annual ice-and-snow festival in China, this wintertime spectacle offers a variety of entertainment activities, including an ice sculpture contest, ice lanterns, skiing, ice skating, outdoor swimming, hunting, dog-sled rides and art performances. There are about 1,300 ice sculptures on show and 36 teams from 18 countries participating in the contest. Venue: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

January 6-20

Rimed (Frosted) Landscape Festival--This festival gives tourists a chance to appreciate the unique beauty of rimed trees, ice lanterns, ice sculptures, fireworks, fashion shows and ice sports in Northeast China. Venue: Jilin, Jilin Province.

January 15

Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival--About 80 groups of ice lanterns, ice-and-snow sculptures and ice slides spread over 300 metres of the gorge. Colored lighting adds fun to evening visitors. The festival is held annually. Venue: Yanqing County, Beijing.

February

Spring Festival Flower Fair--Sightseeing on a 5-km-long stretch of streets in Guangzhou, complete with flower markets, goldfish, miniature landscapes and handicrafts. It takes place in China's southern city of Guangzhou, one of the warmest vastness and diversity of China. At a time when, China's northern climate is enough to freeze your nose off (about��25 degrees Centigrade in Harbin), the southern city of Guangzhou has a sea of flowers filling its streets and windows. Venue: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

February (Spring Festival)

International New Year Pictures Festival--The suburban counties of Tianjin are one of the major centers for traditional Chinese New Year pictures and posters. The exchange, sale and discussion of traditional woodblocks for New Year pictures is held annually to greet the lunar New Year. Venue: Tianjin.

February 16

Fuxi Temple Ceremonies--Ceremony of the sacrificial rites for Fuxi, the legendary ancestor of the Chinese people. Tourist activities include the playing of sheepskin drums and the enjoyment of other local arts typical of northwestern China. Venue: Tianshui, Gansu Province.

February 13-21

Buddhist Ceremony at Longwu Monastery--The Longwu Monastery in Tongren County holds a Buddhist ceremony accompanied by Tibetan dramas and dances, shehuo (traditional Han folk activities), dragon drumming, art exhibitions and trade activities. Venue: Tongren County, Qinghai Province.

February 18-21

Di Opera--A celebration of Di Opera, also called Anshun Opera since it is a local opera of Anshun, in China's remote Guizhou Province. Being the oldest folk drama in China, it is always staged in open fields and actors wear fancy wooden masks. Venue: Anshun, Guizhou Province.

February 18

Jinling Lantern Show--A Han-nationality festival, this one features lanterns, eating yuanxiao (sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour) and watching acrobatic performances at the ancient city's busiest old streets. The gathering has attracted over a million tourists and local residents in past years. Venue: Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

February 18

Lantern Festival--Making, displaying and viewing lanterns and other folk amusements in Changzhou, a newly and rapidly developing industrial city in the Yangtze Delta. It is a chance to see how the ordinary Chinese entertain themselves and others at the same time. Venue: Changzhou, Jiangsu Province.

February 18, May 16, October 17

Buddhist Ceremonies at Ta'er Temple--These are the dates for three of the four greatest religious ceremonies held each year at the temple, one of the six best-known Lama temples in China. The temple was built in the 16th century and is now greatly admired for its architecture, painting and culture. Tourists are scheduled to participate in Tibetan, Tu and Mongolian butter-sculpture exhibitions, the Sunning of the Buddha ceremony and other Buddhist activities. Venue: Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province.

February 19-21

Sugar-Coated Hawthorn Fair at Haiyun Buddhist Nunnery--This event includes a temple fair, tasting and making various sugared fruit (candied haws and other fruits), sampling local snacks, shopping, enjoying artistic performances and folk customs. Venue: Qingdao, Shandong Province.

February 19

Lusheng Festival--A Miao nationality festival featuring a lusheng (a reed instrument) contest, ethnic dancing, cockfights, horse-racing, antiphonal singing and other sports and recreational activities. The Miao people are known for their colorful costumes and lifestyles and Kaili is one of the most densely populated Miao areas in China. Venues: Kaili, Guizhou Province, and Rongshui, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

February 26 (15th day of the first lunar month)

Yu Garden Lantern Festival--This festival includes the displaying of traditional Chinese lanterns, palace lanterns, and various performances, as well as the showing of a galaxy of private calligraphy collections and paintings by ancient and modern artists. Built as a private garden in the 16th century, the Yu Garden is a famous garden in South China. With its contemporary hustle and bustle, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Shanghai. Venue: Shanghai.

Early February-early March

Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Show-Zigong, widely known as the Land of the Dinosaur in Sichuan Province, holds a colorful lantern show annually with a dinosaur theme. Business talks and trade activities are planned at the same time. Venue: Zigong, Sichuan Province.

March 1

Munao Song and Dance Festival--A Jingpo festival that features group sword dancing, toasting, antiphonal singing and other ethnic folk arts and amusements. The Jingpo are one of the many ethnic minorities of China who live in the southwestern corner of the country. Mangshi and Wanding cities play an important role in linking cultural and business exchanges between China and Burma. Venue: Mangshi and Wanding, Yunnan Province.

March 3-7

Gaotai Fair--Tu, Hui and Tibetan gaotai (antiphonal singing), shehuo, drama and dance performances. There are 760��000 Tibetans and 130��000 Tu nationals living in Qinghai and they have long created a colorful ethnic culture and entertainment activities. Venue: Huzhu County, Qinghai Province.

March 22

Sword-Ladder Festival--Lisu performers climb a "sword-ladder" (many swords tied horizontally to a center pole), walk over hot coals, and engage in other thrilling activities. It is their special way of proving their bravery. Venue: Tengchong County, Yunnan Province.

March 23-25

Nantong International Kite Festival-Nantong City of Jiangsu Province is one of the four major kite-making areas in China. This festival is a chance for tourists to fly various South China kites and displays. The second-largest kite festival in China, it is second only to the Weifang Kite Festival held in North China. Venue: Nantong, Jiangsu Province.

Mid-March

Travel Trade Fair--An opportunity for tour operators to make friends and do business in the hot tourist triangle of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. There are travel fairs, visits to tourist attractions, and the exchange of past experience. Venue: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

March 24

Boat Fair--During this fair people perform plays on boats. Yangzhou used to be a prosperous city in ancient China and its rivers were made famous when the Qing Emperor Qianlong took a boat ride there. Special river cruise tours have been designed for tourists on the local rivers and the city's Slender West Lake. Venue: Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. March

Chengdu Flower Fair--Flower show to celebrate the return of spring. Local performances, such as acrobatics and the tasting of local snack food, are planned for visitors to the fair. The snacks, almost all spicy and hot, belong to the famous Sichuan cuisine. Venue: Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

April

Emperor Yan's Birthday Celebration-Seminar on Emperor Yan, ancestor of Chinese people, a visit to Shennong Cave and its steles. Venue: Suizhou, Hubei Province.

April

Cultural Festival of the Song Dynasty Capital-This festival features the study of the history and culture of the Song Dynasty, food displays, and a Song Imperial Street Tour. The Song Street is a new reproduction of old-style downtown street of the Song Dynasty and is now popular as a tourist spot in the ancient city of Kaifeng. Venue: Kaifeng, Henan Province.

April

Hangzhou Tea Culture Seminar--A series of activities and seminars to introduce Chinese tea and tea culture. Zhejiang is one of major tea-growing areas in China and a tea museum was built there. Hangzhou has become a center of tea culture studies. Venue: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

April 1

Weifang International Kite Festival-Launched in 1986, the Weifang International Kite Festival has become an annual event that draws more and more participants and tourists to this small city where kite-making is a tradition. Usually more than 10 international teams and individuals join the international and domestic kite competition. There are also long-distance folk tours around the city after the contest. Venue: Weifang, Shandong Province.

April 5

Root-Seeking and Ancestor-Worshipping Festival-Descendants of Shanxi natives who emigrated to other provinces or overseas years ago return to their ancestral land and hold memorial ceremonies for their ancestors. Venue: Hongtong County, Shanxi Province.April 5

Fireworks Festival--A Dong-nationality festival, this celebration includes the lighting and exploding fireworks, cock fighting and lusheng contests. The nationality celebrates this festival in April by setting off fireworks and enjoying ethnic activities. Venue:Sanjiang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

April 5

Ghost-City Temple Fair--This fair includes performances and events related to ghosts. The Ghost-City of Fengdu is built according to ancient Chinese legends and myths, reminding people that if you are evil in the human world you will be sent to the Ghost City to suffer a series of punishments. The punishments are illustrated in the temple by mud sculptures. Fengdu is also one of the scenic stops on the Yangtze River's Three Gorges tour.

April 5

Lanting Calligraphy Festival--Calligraphy demonstrations and exhibitions, poem recitations and wine-drinking. The festival is held in the hometown of many ancient Chinese literary and calligraphic giants and a visit to Shaoxing is both a sightseeing tour and cultural experience. Venue: Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province.

April 5

Ethnic Carnival--Hainan Island is often referred to as the Hawaii of the Orient as the two have many things in common. The Ethnic Carnival is a grand gathering of Li, Miao and other nationalities living on the second largest island of China. It includes a presentation of ethnic dances and martial arts, and a demonstration of handicraft making. Venue: Tongza, Hainan Province.

April 5-15

Cherry Blossom Tour--Planting cherry trees and viewing cherry blossoms are the highlight of this springtime festival. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms in parks in and around Wuxi. Available from April 5 to 15�� the tour also features lessons in painting, sculpture, photography and clay figures, all with cherry flowers as a theme. Venue: Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

April 7

Shaoxing Wine Festival--Shaoxing's Chinese wine is famous in China. A small pub in Shaoxing called the Xianheng Wine Shop is known to almost all Chinese because the man in a story written by China's literary giant Lu Xun used to drink at the pub very often. Now the pub has become the best-known tourist attraction in the small southern city. Tourist activities include savoring local rice wine, composing poems and painting while drinking wine, and watching folk-art performances. Venue: Shao-xing, Zhejiang Province.

April 8-15

Suzhou Classical Garden Art--The garden city of Suzhou hosts a seminar on the art of gardening, which includes visiting gardens and garden lantern shows, and enjoying local operas. Often referred to as the Venice of the Orient, Suzhou is known as a most beautiful southern Chinese city and is home of Chinese silk production. The gardening of Suzhou enjoys high prestige in ancient Chinese architecture and culture. Venue: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.

April 8-15

Zhejiang Folk Art Festival--Exhibition and sale of Dongyang wood sculptures and Huang-yang wood carvings in Wenzhou, Leqing silk paintings, Hangzhou silk paintings, and Zhejiang plastic hanging decorations. Hangzhou is also a beautiful city referred to since ancient times as a Heaven on Earth. Venue: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

April 10

Peach Blossom Festival--This festival offers a chance to enjoy all kinds of peach blossoms and to visit botanical gardens and the former residence of Cao Xueqin, author of the Chinese novel A Dream of Red Mansions. The festival signifies the approach of spring and is one of the best times for outings in North China.

April 10-12

Yixing Ceramic Festival--Yixing is called China's pottery capital because of the wonderful pottery produced there. Tour programs include visiting ceramic workshops built in ancient style, watching the pottery-making process and learning about local folk customs. Venue: Yixing, Jiangsu Province.

April 13-15

Dai Nationality Water-splashing Festival--A time of unique fun and enjoyment in the sub-tropical area of China, mainly populated by the ethnic Dai people. They celebrate their New Year on the Dai calendar by splashing water on each other, to wash out the bad luck of the past and wish for a new start. Peacock dances, dragon-boat races, fireworks and some other Dai sports are held at the same time. Venue: Xishuangbanna and Dehong, Yunnan Province.

April 15 (third day of the third lunar month)

Zhuang Nationality Song Festival--A traditional festival of the Zhuang minority is held every year in several cities of the autonomous region. Programs include antiphonal singing, throwing silk balls and making colored eggs. Venue: Nanning, Liuzhou and Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

April 15-25

Luoyang Peony Show--Luoyang boasts a fine selection of China's best peonies. It is also one of the most famous ancient Chinese capitals and the home of ancient Chinese civilization. It is a time for tourists to view flowers, visit museums of ancient tombs and the renowned Longmen Grottoes, one of the three best ancient grottoes in China. Venue: Luoyang, Henan Province.

April 12-May 3

Qingdao Flower Show--Tourists can enjoy the flowers, plant trees, shop and watch cultural performances in one of the country's most beautiful coastal cities. Venue: Qingdao, Shandong Province.

April 17

Dali Third-Month Fair--A Bai-nationality festival featuring local ethnic dances, horse-racing, dragon and iron dances and other Bai-nationality programs. Dali is one of the most beautiful scenic cities in Yunnan Province, featuring strong ethnic flavors. The fair is the most important holiday gathering for the local ethnic population. Venue:Dali, Yunnan Province.

Mid-April

Beijing Kite Festival--Held on the outskirts of Beijing each year, the Beijing International Kite Festival features a kite designing and flying competition as well as a kite exhibition. Venue: Mentougou District, Beijing.

Mid-April

Chen Family Memorial Fair--Memorial ceremonies for taijiquan masters of the Chen family, organized by their descendants, along with demonstrations of taijiquan and taiji sword, martial-art competitions and drumming. Venue: Chenjiagou, Wen County, Henan Province.