劳动节 in China (Labour Day)?

Question

I was under the impression 劳动节 Labour Day in China was a one day public holiday (1 May) but found out recently its actually a one week holiday.

Next year (2009) 1 May falls on a Friday. Which would be the week that is actually the holiday - the week beginning 27 April or the week beginning 4 May?

Thanks.

Answer 1

o(∩_∩)o...

I had the same question with you when I was young.

We Chinese define the Labour Day  like this: 1 May to 7 May is  Labour Day no matter what day it is. We will go to work on 8 May if it is not  Saturday or Sunday. And if 8 May is weekend, we will go on our holiday before the next Monday. It is the same with 30 Apirl.

Answer 2

That's not true, National Day(1 Oct.) and LabourDay(1 May) were 1 week holiday befer 2008. From this year Goverment noticed National Day, LabourDay only 3 days holiday to avoid too many people going outside in a same time. But added  2 Chinese tradional festival,  Dragon Boat Festival is at  Chinese lunar calendar  5,May(often at June in solar calendar ).

Mid-autumn Festival is at  Chinese lunar calendar  15,Aug(often at Sep in solar calendar ).  

The Dragon Boat Festvial and Mid-autumn Festival are both 3 days holiday.

The Spring Festival is the most important festival in China, many companies often have 2 weeks holiday.