Currently, China has three "Golden Week" holidays in the year -- Spring Festival, International Labor Day (May 1), and National Day (October 1). This new holiday scheme was set up by the Chinese government in 1999 so as to boost domestic demand, stimulate consumption, and restructure the economy. As the prolonged holidays turned out to be "golden" for the economy, they became known as "Golden Week". The seven-day holidays, called golden weeks, have now become a part of Chinese life and are characterized by shopping and travel. The holidays are the most important and nicest days that all Chinese people look forward to.
The Golden Week for the May 1 Labor Day holiday will run from May 1 to 7, with May 1, 2 and 3 being the national holidays. People will need to work the previous weekend.

The weeklong holiday for National Day will last from October 1 to 7. The national holidays are October 1 to 3. Vacationers will need to work on the previous Saturday, September 30, and the following Sunday, October 8.

According to the State Council, employers have to pay those who have to work on the official national holidays three times their usual salaries.