National Day of the People's Republic of China

China's National Day is celebrated on October 1 every year. On this day in 1949, the People's Republic of China was officially founded. It is one of the biggest holidays in China. The celebrations include a week-long vacation called Golden Week.

What Happened in 1949

On October 1, 1949, a leader named Mao Zedong stood in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. He announced that the People's Republic of China was born. This came after many years of war and change in the country. The day marked a new beginning for the Chinese people. It is now remembered as one of the most important dates in China's history.

How People Celebrate

During Golden Week, many Chinese people have seven days off from work and school. Families travel to visit relatives or go on vacation. Tiananmen Square in Beijing is decorated with huge flower displays. Cities hold fireworks shows and cultural performances. Military parades are held on special anniversary years, like every 10 years.

Fun Facts

• About 800 million people travel during China's Golden Week holiday.
• The flower displays in Tiananmen Square use over 100,000 flowers each year.
• China is the most populated country in the world, with over 1.4 billion people.

Did You Know?

Golden Week is one of the busiest travel periods in the world. Trains, planes, and highways are packed with people heading home or on vacation.