The Chinese calendar consists of several traditions and events. Chinese New Year consists of three official holidays.

These holidays are combined with holiday periods that vary from year to year, depending on the calendar. To have several days off, following the official holidays, people often work on certain Saturdays and certain Sundays of the year. This on the day preceding or the day following the relevant public holiday. Since most companies and factories are closed during public holidays, this affects international shipments.

What implications for your supply chain?

During holidays and related holiday periods, most Chinese companies, factories and warehouses close. This results in a significant influx of goods around these dates.

As for air and sea freight, capacities are likely to be limited andiIn European and Chinese ports and airports, congestion is to be expected. Planning transport well in advance is the motto, so that the holidays in China minimise disruption to your shipments to and from the Far East. Feel free to contact MOL Logistics with any questions about your specific situation.

Public holidays in China: 2023 calendar

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festival in China (as well as in several Asian countries). Chinese New Year 2022 marked the entry into the year of the Water Tiger from 1 February 2022 to 21 January 2023. Chinese New Year 2023 takes place on 22 January, giving way to the Year of the Rabbit. The lunar year ends on February 9, 2024. A lunar year can have 353, 354, 355, 383, 384 or 385 days.

The new lunar year always takes place on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. Each year is represented by an element and an animal. Traditionally, the celebrations last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival, which this year will take place on 5 February 2023 .

Official holidays: the week from 21 January to 27 January 2023. During this period, most Chinese businesses will be closed. The recovery will be gradual and delivery times of goods will be affected.

Ching Ming Festival

From 3 to 5 April 2023: celebration of Qing Ming Jie (or Ching Ming Festival ). This is a tribute to deceased ancestors. Day of the Dead is a bank holiday traditionally dedicated to sweeping and maintaining graves.

Dag van de Arbeid

May 1, 2023: Labour Day. This is one of the three main Chinese public holidays.

Golden Week.

From 29 April to 3 May 2023. Visiting family is the focus here.

Dragon Boat Festival

22 to 24 June 2023: Dragon Boat Festival also called double five festival because it takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. On this occasion, the Chinese hold dragon boat races. The Dragon Boat Festival was listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009.

Mid-autumn festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated on 29 September 2023. On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival , also called Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese celebrate the moon, a symbol of harmony, family unity and togetherness. It is customary to offer friends, family or colleagues a box of mooncakes to share the revelry. Official holidays: 29 and 30 September 2023.

Golden Week

Golden Week 2023, or National Holiday, will be celebrated on 1 October 2023. A week of ceremonies and events will be organised on the occasion. A strong influx of tourists and visitors may lead to saturation of transport networks and long queues around the most tourist sites. In terms of logistics, activities slow down. Official holidays: from 1 October to 06 October 2023.

Restore working days on Saturdays and Sundays worked in 2023

Certain Saturdays and certain Sundays will be worked to create leave periods around traditional events.

• Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January 2023 will be worked after Chinese New Year.
• On Saturday 1 April and Sunday 2 April 2023, work is underway for the start of the Qing Ming Jie Festival.
• Sunday, June 25, 2023, works towards the conclusion of the Dragon Boat Festival.
• Saturday 07 October and Sunday 08 October 2023 will be worked at the end of Golden Week.