Advice on visiting Beijing during labour holidays

Question

Hello. We are planning on visiting Beijing 28 April to 5th May. I know 1-5th May is labour holidays. I wanted to ask if it will still be enjoyable if we come during that time. Unfortunately the travel dates cannot be changed. We are mostly visiting because we are foodies and have always wanted to try Chinese cuisine. We will be staying at Orange hotel in Niujie as we want easy access to halal food. Halal Chinese doesn’t really exist in the UK so we are really looking forward to our trip. The rest of the time we just like to walk around and explore. We do like crowds. Will it be difficult to get into restaurants/will they all have long queues during this time? Or is it a complete waste of time even if we are happy with just having food and exploring?

We do want to visit the great wall and forbidden city/Tiananmen square. We aim to do great wall on the 29th April and the forbidden city on the 30th just so we are not doing tourist attractions during labour holiday. Is this a sensible plan?

My only other options are Hong Kong or Taipei but we really actually want to visit Beijing if we can. I am hoping for some advice. If it is really bad to visit at that time I will have to choose an alternative place to visit. Thank you in advance.

Answer

Visiting Beijing during the Labour Day holiday (1–5 May) will definitely be crowded, as it is one of China’s busiest travel periods. However, since your main interest is food and exploring neighborhoods rather than hitting major attractions every day, your trip can still be very enjoyable with some planning.

Here are some considerations and tips:

Food experiences: Since you are staying in Niujie and are interested in halal Chinese cuisine, you will be well-positioned to explore the area. Many local halal restaurants may have queues, but they usually turn over quickly, and being flexible with timing (e.g., early lunch or late dinner) helps avoid long waits.
Walking and neighborhood exploration: Streets like Niujie and nearby markets are lively during holidays, and the crowds can add to the atmosphere. You can enjoy local snacks, street food, and traditional architecture while walking around.
Major tourist attractions: Your plan to visit the Great Wall on 29 April and the Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square on 30 April is sensible. This way, you avoid the peak holiday crowds, which usually start 1 May. The Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling) will be much less crowded than over the holiday, and the Forbidden City will be far more manageable before the holiday rush.

Additional tips:

Book tickets in advance online for popular attractions where possible, even for dates just before the holiday.
Public transport can be crowded during the holiday, so plan extra travel time and consider walking shorter distances if feasible.
If you want to try famous Beijing restaurants outside Niujie, make reservations in advance where possible, especially for larger or well-known venues.
Exploring less touristy neighborhoods and local markets can be a great alternative to crowded areas during the holiday.

In summary, your plan is quite sensible. By scheduling major tourist sites just before the official Labour Day holiday, you can avoid the worst crowds while still enjoying the city’s food and atmosphere. Being flexible, especially around dining times and transport, will help make the trip enjoyable despite the holiday period.

Advice on visiting Beijing during labour holidays

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