It’s easy to be fascinated by Chinese culture and daily life, especially if you’re from the other side of the world.
Here’s what you should know about everyday life in China, along with some interesting Chinese holidays to enjoy if you want to work, study, or live in China.
Daily Life in China
Home
Since ancient times, Chinese people have revolved much of their lives around family.
The elders, or the grandmas and grandpas, get the highest level of respect in the household. The middle-generation parents, or the working-age moms and dads, serve as the providers.
The eldest son is generally seen as the household’s main decision-maker, although some Chinese families still look to the elders as the main authority figures.
In some regions, especially rural areas, extended families still live with the immediate family.
Although arranged marriages are no longer the norm for modern Chinese households, the family still plays a huge role in deciding who to date or marry.
Matchmaking remains a popular custom in China, along with modern online dating.
Some Chinese families still adhere to courtship and betrothal customs. One of these is guo da li (过大礼), or the groom’s presentation of betrothal gifts to the bride-to-be’s parents.
Some couples also consult a fortune teller when choosing a wedding date.
School
There is a strong emphasis on academic rigor in Chinese schools. Students are usually prepped to focus on subjects like language, mathematics, science, and Chinese studies.
While academics are the main focus of Chinese schools, students can still participate in after-school activities, such as sports and music.
Teachers train students to be good at memorization, too. By the time kids reach middle school, they start undergoing extensive preparations for standardized tests.
One such test is the gaokao (高考), or the National University Entrance Examinations, which is comparable to the SATs in the United States. High school students take the gaokao to determine where they will complete their tertiary education.
Compared to the SATs, it is said that the gaokao is much more difficult! To reward them for their efforts, students can enjoy the summer break after the gaokao.
Work
Chinese workplaces are somewhat similar to their family structures in terms of hierarchy, group harmony, and respect.
They also value hard work and diligence. Chinese communities have a collectivist culture, which means that teamwork is very important!
If you’re going to work with a Chinese employer soon, you may have to participate in after-work activities to get to know your coworkers.
It would also be good to remember important Chinese etiquette and social norms, such as punctuality and guanxi (关系), or beneficial social relationships.
Also, a lot of Chinese employers would not mind if you napped after lunch. This is because they believe that napping helps restore your energy.
So when you’re at work, be sure to maximize your midday break to power nap!
Don’t Forget: Business Etiquette
Exchange business cards in a respectful manner. Accept and receive cards with both hands.
Use your colleagues’ professional titles and greet them warmly—with a smile and a firm handshake.
Foster a good atmosphere by initiating small talk before work matters.
Remember Chinese gifting conventions. Exchanging gifts equates to establishing relationships with others.
Chinese Holidays
China has seven major public holidays, and a lot of them follow the Chinese calendar. This calendar is lunisolar, so it follows the phases of the moon and the longitude of the sun.
As such, the dates for these holidays vary from year to year.
The Gregorian calendar, which is the universal calendar for months and days of the year, is still followed for civil purposes as well as other holidays.
New Year’s Day (元旦 Yuándàn)
This holiday is exactly the same as we know it: the first holiday of the year.
To eliminate confusion with the Chinese New Year, this holiday is sometimes called “International New Year” in China.
Public offices and schools are closed for the day on January 1. Some people have three days off to celebrate the new year, and many malls take advantage of this holiday to promote sales and discounts.
Chinese New Year (春节 Chūnjié)
Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is regarded as China’s most prominent holiday. It’s also the best time to experience Chinese culture for foreigners!
The Spring Festival marks the first full moon of the lunar calendar, so it falls somewhere between January 21 and February 20.
With a history spanning over 4,000 years, the Chinese New Year involves grand activities such as parades, fireworks shows, and traditional dances—typically lion or dragon dances on the street.
Families may also do spring cleaning or exchange hongbao (红包), or small red envelopes with money.
Red is a BIG color during this time, as it represents joy and good fortune.
Tomb-Sweeping Day (清明节 Qīngmíngjié)
Also called Qingming Festival or Pure Brightness Festival, this holiday reminds Chinese people to remember their ancestors and enjoy the spring season.
Based on the Chinese calendar, Tomb-Sweeping Day falls on the 15th day following the Spring Equinox. So, the holiday may be celebrated anywhere between April 4 and 6.
During the Qingming Festival, which dates back to over 2,000 years ago, Chinese families visit ancestral tombs to clean them. They may also burn offerings, usually paper money.
Labor Day (劳动节 Láodòngjié)
China’s Labor Day is celebrated on May 1, the same as International Workers’ Day.
Also known as May Day or Wǔyījié (五一节), this holiday celebrates all workers in China. People usually take long weekends off during this time, so it’s considered a peak season for travel.
Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔjié)
Considered the most traditional festival in China, the Dragon Boat Festival—or Duanwu Festival—dates back to 2,000 years ago.
This holiday is celebrated on the fifth day of the Chinese calendar’s fifth month—usually in late May or late June.
Locals take part in activities such as, of course, dragon boat racing and eating dumplings made from sticky rice called zongzi (粽子).
Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 Zhōngqiūjié)
Also called Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, this holiday is considered the second most important in China.
Similar to the American Thanksgiving, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for loved ones to get together and give thanks for good fortune and a bountiful harvest.
Some traditional customs include having moon viewings and lighting paper lanterns, which people may carry around or send up to the sky.
Friends and families may also gift each other mooncakes, which are circular pastries filled with red beans or lotus seed paste.
As you can see, the moon plays an important role in Chinese culture!
National Day (国庆节 Guóqìngjié)
The last Chinese public holiday celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Also known as Chinese National Day, this holiday is chock-full of public activities such as fireworks shows, parades, and concerts.
You can see many patriotic designs on the streets during this time.
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