13-Day Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday: A Collective Experiment with “Time” and “Consumption”
Hello everyone, I’m your financial observer. Recently, have you noticed how social media has been flooded with complex schedules like “5 days off, 1 day off, 5 days off, 3 days off, 7 days off, 3 days off, 1 day off”? That’s right; this is the “new rhythm” that we workers and students will be facing from now on.
In simple terms, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays coincided quite closely, so the government encouraged it, universities took the lead, and companies followed suit, creating a long holiday of 13 consecutive days. It’s more than just getting a few extra days off; there’s a bigger plan behind it: the government wants to boost consumption and adjust the economic pace.
Let me break down this news into five key points to explain the rationale behind this change in plain language.
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1. Why the sudden popularity of 13 days off? Because “juggling multiple holidays” is too exhausting
In the past, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays were only a few days apart. For many young people studying or working in other cities, this was a real ordeal: you’d just get home for the family reunion, have a meal, and then have to rush back to work or school. The round-trip travel expenses were high, and you were exhausted, making the holiday experience very poor.
The main reason for the 13-day holiday is one word: efficiency.
- Universities taking the lead: More than 50 universities, such as Shandong University of the Arts and Hebei University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, announced a holiday from September 25 to October 7. Although there were a few weekends with make-up classes (e.g., September 20 and October 10), the two holidays were combined into one longer period.
- Companies following suit: Many companies in Hefei, Shenzhen, Beijing, and other places also announced 13 days off. Some companies (like one in Xiamen) even offered 13.5 days off without any deductions to wages or compensatory workdays.
In plain terms: It’s like if you used to have to make two trips to the bank for business; now the bank says, “Just do it all at once.” Although you might have to wait a bit longer for the make-up classes or compensatory workdays, it saves you the hassle of traveling back and forth. For students and workers living far from home, “less hassle” is more valuable than “more rest.”
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2. The government is playing a key role: From encouragement to planning
You might wonder why so many organizations are willing to do this this year. It’s not just a sudden decision by companies or schools; it’s the result of government policies.
- Clear policy signals: The General Office of the State Council’s 2026 holiday schedule encourages employers and individuals to combine paid annual leave to create longer holidays and promote peak-shifting travel.
- Important policy implementation: In July this year, the State Council approved the “15th Five-Year Plan for Expanding Consumption.” This is the first five-year plan specifically focused on the consumer sector, which explicitly states the need to implement rest and vacation policies and revise the “Paid Annual Leave Regulations” to encourage flexible and peak-shifting vacations.
In plain terms: In the past, people were afraid to take long holidays for fear of losing wages or facing negative reactions from their bosses. Now the government has made vacationing part of a national consumer strategy, clearly signaling that the goal is to encourage spending. Vacationing is no longer seen as laziness but as an important way to boost domestic demand and economic activity. The policy tells companies that by allowing employees to rest properly, they are helping the economy, which is considered politically correct.
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3. What does this mean for workers and students?
For ordinary people, these 13 days of vacation are a tangible benefit, but they also come with some hidden costs:
- Benefits: You save money and stress, and the holiday experience is better.
- Money saved: You don’t have to buy two separate train or flight tickets, saving on transportation and accommodation expenses.
- Less stress: You don’t have to worry about going back to work or school during the holiday, allowing you to truly relax.
- Better experience: You can plan a long trip or spend quality time with your family, rather than just rushing through activities.
- Costs: Your routine is disrupted.
- Make-up classes: Be sure to check the holiday announcements for make-up class dates. For example, you might have to work on Sunday, September 20, or Saturday, October 10. This means your weekends are temporarily taken away, and you’ll need to make it up at some point in the future.
- Workload: The long holiday is often followed by a period of intense work or study. For example, after a 5-day workweek followed by a 5-day holiday, the rhythm can be challenging for both physical and mental health.
In plain terms: It’s like combining your scattered small holidays into one big one, which is more enjoyable, but you need to plan in advance for the make-up classes. If you can handle occasional weekend work, the 13 days are definitely worth it; if you dislike working on weekends, you’ll need to weigh the benefits carefully.
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4. The tourism market is booming: Peak-shifting travel has become a new trend
With the longer holiday, the tourism industry has thrived. The travel pattern has also changed, shifting from the peak crowds on National Day to more segmented, peak-shifting travel.
- Data shows: Booking for long-distance flights (over 1,200 kilometers) increased significantly from September 25 to 30.
- Cheaper prices: Flight prices on the first day of Mid-Autumn Festival were 30% lower than on National Day, meaning you can save a lot by traveling earlier.
- Multiple destinations: The number of travelers booking flights to two or more destinations increased by 25%. People are no longer going to just one place; they’re splitting the 13-day holiday into two segments.
In plain terms: In the past, people avoided the crowds, so they either left early or braved the peak on National Day. Now, with the 13-day holiday, they can choose to travel more wisely:
- Those who worry about high prices can fly on the first day of Mid-Autumn Festival when tickets are cheaper.
- Those who avoid crowds can travel at the end of September to avoid the peak on National Day.
- Those who enjoy variety can split the holiday and visit two different places.
This is great news for the tourism industry, especially for destinations and airlines that rely on long-distance and luxury travel, as it creates a “golden window period.”
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5. The deeper logic: Vacations are a catalyst for consumption
Finally, let’s look beyond the holidays themselves and understand why the government places such emphasis on them.
The core logic: Rest → Better mood → More money spent → Economic activity.
- Unleashing consumption potential: Chinese people don’t lack the desire to spend; they just don’t have time to do so. With the 996 workweek and make-up classes on weekends, where do they have time to shop, travel, or watch movies? Now, with 13 days off, you’ll probably go out and spend money on food, lodging, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment.
- Promoting the service industry: Tourism, catering, hotels, and transportation are labor-intensive industries that create many jobs. Longer holidays directly boost these industries’ revenue and, in turn, drive the entire economic chain.
- Enhancing happiness: The ultimate goal of economics is people’s well-being. Well-rested, happy workers are more efficient and creative, contributing to a more harmonious society.
In plain terms: The government is “investing” in your time, giving you the opportunity to spend money and enjoy life. Every purchase you make contributes to GDP and creates job opportunities for others. So, by resting properly, you’re helping the economy.
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In summary
The complex schedule of “5 days off, 1 day off, 5 days off, 3 days off, 7 days off, 3 days off, 1 day off” may seem overwhelming, but it’s part of a positive cycle driven by government policies, corporate responses, and individual benefits:
- For individuals: You get an extra long holiday, less hassle, and more opportunities for meaningful experiences.
- For companies: It improves employee satisfaction, helps retain talent, and aligns with policy goals.
- For the country: It boosts consumption, promotes tourism, and enhances overall happiness.
So, stop complaining about the make-up classes and start planning your 13-day holiday! Whether you plan to travel far away to see the autumn scenery or stay home and have a big meal with your family, taking a good rest is the best investment you can make.