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Chinese Calendar and Public Holidays
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Traditionally the Chinese used the lunar calendar and many Chinese holidays are based on lunar dates; therefore, the dates jump around on the Gregorian calendar. Nowadays, folks use the Gregorian calendar in everyday life.
 Lantern Festival
The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival because the first lunar month is called yuan-month and in the ancient times people called night Xiao. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuan Xiao Festival in China. At this time, people will try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) and get all their families united in the joyful atmosphere ....... more >>
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Below is the official public holiday Schedule in 2012 and 2013 announced by the State Council in China Mainland:
| Holidays | When | Days off in 2012 | Days off in 2013 |
| New Year's Day | January, 1st of every year | Jan 1-3, 2012 | Jan 1-3, 2013 |
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | New Year's Day of the lunar calendar, normally in late January or early February | It falls on Jan 23, The holiday is on Jan 22 - 28. |
It falls on Feb 10,
The holiday is on Feb 22 - 28. |
| Women's Day | March 8 of every year | Half day of Mar 8 | Half day of Mar 8 |
| Arbor Day | March 12 of every year | No holiday | No holiday |
| Qingming Festival | April 4 or April 5 | It falls on Apr 5, The holiday is on Apr 5–7 |
It falls on Apr 4, The holiday is on Apr 4–6 |
| May Day | May 1 | May 1-3 | April 29 - May1 |
| Youth Day | May 4th | Half day of May 4th for 14 years old above | Half day of May 4th for 14 years old above |
| International Nurse Day | May 12 | No holiday | No holiday |
| Children's Day | June 1 | No holiday | No holiday |
| Dragon Boat Festival | 5th day of the 5th lunar month | It falls on Jun 23, The holiday is on Jun 22 - 24. |
It falls on Jun 12, The holiday is on Jun 10 - 12. |
| Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party | July 1 | No holiday | No holiday |
| Army Day of the Chinese People's Liberation Army | August 1 | half day of August 1st for active army | half day of August 1st for active army |
| Teacher's Day | September 10 | No holiday | No holiday |
| Mid-autumn Festival | 15th day of the 8th lunar month | It falls on Sep 30, The holiday is on Sep 30. |
It falls on Sep 19, The holiday is on Sep 19-21. |
| National Day | October 1 | October 1-7 | October 1-7 |
| Journalists' Day | November 8 | No holiday | No holiday |
HK General Holidays for 2012:
| Every Sunday | Sunday | |
| The first day of January | January 1 | Saturday |
| Lunar New Year's Day | January 23 | Monday |
| The second day of the Lunar New Year | January 24 | Tuesday |
| The third day of the Lunar New Year | January 25 | Wednesday |
| Ching Ming Festival | April 4 | Wednesday |
| Good Friday | April 6 | Friday |
| The day following Good Friday | April 1 | Sunday |
| Easter Monday | April 9 | Monday |
| The day following Labour Day | April 10 | Tuesday |
| The Buddha's Birthday | April 28 | Saturday |
| Tuen Ng Festival | April 23 | Saturday |
| HK Special Administrative Region Establishment Day | July 1 | Sunday |
| The day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | September 30 | Sunday |
| National Day | October 1 | Monday |
| Chung Yeung Festival | October 5 | Friday |
| The first weekday after Christmas Day | December 26 | Wednesday |
| The second weekday after Christmas Day | December 27 | Tuesday |
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