Asia - National holiday in China

I booked a leisure trip to Shanghai. After making arrangements for flight and hotel, it was brought to my attention that the days I would be there were national holidays. I am in Shanghai October 5th through 8th. My first question is, what is the holiday and what is its significance (if not readily appareent) and my second question is, what happens during a national holiday of this sort? Are all business and commercial establishments closed and streets deserted?

Not sure about 5-8 October but the 1st of October is National Day, the anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China (Mao made the proclamation from Tian An Men in 1949). FWIW, 10 October is the anniversary of Sun Yet Sen declaring the foundation of the Republic of China so watch that date if you're in Taiwan.

The only holiday that shuts down businesses and has millions on the move to get home is the multi-day spring festival (which coincides with the lunar new year (a.k.a. chinese new year). I'd worry more about this than National Day.

I hope I caught this thread in time; change your dates! I've stayed in Shanghai/Beijing during all 3 of the major holidays and, while none of which were pleasent (the general rule is to get out of the country, if not out of town), the October holiday was the worst by far. What it entails are millions of patriotic Chinese descending upon their two national treasures in a manner that brings them to a standstill (moreso Shanghai than Beijing because it is so small area-wise).

My last national day experience in China was 2002 in Shanghai. At that time I was living near the Pudong Shangri-la, which normally has a sedate San Jose -esque feel. However, at the time, the streets were packed, while the restaurants and bars were empty. The tunnel was packed 18-hours per day and the subway skipped the Henan Road stop altogether. I gave up trying to live life as normal after the first 2 days and simply stayed near my apartment.

I don't want to discourage you completely because: 1) I believe 2002 was a special anniversary year; and 2) if you've never been to SH before, it's worth a visit.

That said, Shanghai would be far, far down my list of destinations for that week.

I'd worry more about this than National Day.

My intuition was the same until I had the chance to experience both (see last post) in the city in question. The spring festival last year was remarkably tolerable (though my advice to avoid the holidays still stands; my comments are meant to be taken in the context of my national day post above). My friend and I ended up going to a ceremony at Jing An temple because the organizers had knocked on our door 10+ times during the preceding week. At the ceremony, the mayor awarded us with "good citizen" certificates on national TV. Plus, the spring festival audience was better... less patriotic and more festive.

Thanks for the warning about the holiday. I have Beijing tickets held for Sept. 28- Oct. 4. Now I will have to go back to finding available dates. The rest of October is out. Is November hopelessly cold? I suppose you should know that we will be coming from Northern Minnesota, where it will probably be below freezing for most of the month. :p Maybe we will wind up in China for New Years after all.

Thanks for the warning about the holiday. I have Beijing tickets held for Sept. 28- Oct. 4. Now I will have to go back to finding available dates. The rest of October is out. Is November hopelessly cold? I suppose you should know that we will be coming from Northern Minnesota, where it will probably be below freezing for most of the month. :p Maybe we will wind up in China for New Years after all.

November should be fine. Even the first half of December is usually tolerable.