Be forewarned though, this is a festival celebrated by the entire country, and many choose to take advantage of the fantastic (and patriotic) opportunity to see some of China’s most famous sights. If you’re planning to travel domestically, be sure to book hotels and tickets well in advance to avoid inflated prices or worse—sold out tickets! If you’re traveling internationally, be prepared for long lines and extra crowds at the airport. As long as you’re prepared for the crowds, this can be a great time to be in China and experience Chinese culture and patriotism like you’ve never seen before. 

Break out the little red flags and get ready for Chinese National Day! Legally, everyone gets three days off for this major holiday celebrating the foundation of New China, but usually it stretches to seven or eight days, plus the weekend. Expect to see fireworks, reception banquets, large-scale theatrical evenings, park-tour activities; there’s really no excuse for not having anything to do. Last year there was a grand festival for the 60th National Day, complete with military review and mass parade. This year won’t be as extravagant, but it’s still well worth experiencing.