Places to avoid the worst crowds during May holiday

Question

Hello, we're starting to put an itinerary together for a 2 week trip next May (most likely the only time we can go), landing in Beijing late on May 3. From what I understand basically any tourist attraction of any note will be completely full of people through at least the 5th. Have a couple questions:

Everyone talks about the May 1-5 holiday, but do places still tend to be extremely crowded for several days after as people extend their vacations, or do things clear out pretty fast?

One thought we had was to take a tour/get a private driver for the first part of our trip to go someplace hopefully a bit more remote. Not expecting anywhere not to be well touristed, but we're hoping that maybe some towns off the train lines won't be at the shoulder-to-shoulder level. Assumption is that we'll take the 4th to get to the starting city before setting out on the 5th. Possibilities that seemed less hyped (at least on the western internet, though that obviously doesn't mean much) were:

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (from Lanzhou)

the Tibetan parts of Western Sichuan (from Chengdu)

Also maybe the Wanfenglin/Getuhe parts of Guizhou (from Guiyang) - would expect a lot of people but maybe things are spread out enough to get away from the largest crowds

Is this all a pipe dream? Should we even bother coming before like the 8th?

Answer

Traveling in China around the May 1–5 holiday (Labor Day Golden Week) is always challenging due to massive domestic tourism. Most major attractions, cities, and even smaller towns near popular sites are extremely crowded from May 1–5, and the overflow often continues for a few days afterward as some people extend their vacations, though by May 6–7, the worst crowds usually start to subside.

If your flight lands late on May 3, you can expect that Beijing’s major tourist sites like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, or the Great Wall will still be very crowded for at least May 4–5. Even less famous spots can feel packed because domestic travelers spread out from major hubs.

Strategies for avoiding the worst crowds:

Consider heading to remote or less-touristed regions immediately after arrival instead of trying to explore Beijing during the peak days. This will allow you to enjoy more space and a calmer experience.
Private drivers or small group tours can be helpful in more remote regions, as they allow access to attractions that are otherwise logistically difficult to reach.

Less crowded, more remote destinations:

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (from Lanzhou): This area is remote and popular with Tibetan culture enthusiasts, but because it’s far from major tourist centers and requires careful planning, crowds are generally manageable even during Golden Week.
Tibetan parts of Western Sichuan (from Chengdu): Areas like Daocheng/Yading or Kangding have fewer tourists compared to Chengdu itself. Roads can be busy, but in natural parks and scenic valleys you’ll usually find space to yourself, especially if you go early in the morning.
Wanfenglin/Getuhe in Guizhou (from Guiyang): While Guizhou is growing in popularity, these scenic karst areas are quite spread out, so you can often escape the main crowds. Hiring a driver or using local guides is recommended.

Timing considerations:

If your schedule allows, arriving before May 5 is possible but you should expect busy airports, trains, and some attractions even in remote areas. Travel in and out can be slower than normal.
Waiting until May 8 or later would significantly reduce crowd density at almost all major attractions and make logistics much easier, but you’d miss the earliest days of your planned trip.

In summary, it’s not entirely a pipe dream to start before May 5 if you go to truly remote areas, but you should plan meticulously for transportation and accommodations. If avoiding crowds is a top priority, starting around May 6–8 would make your trip much more relaxed.

Places to avoid the worst crowds during May holiday

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