Spring break gains ground in China, blending learning and travel

As spring unfolds across China, primary and secondary school students in several regions are ushering in their first-ever spring break, stepping beyond the classroom to travel and take part in a diverse range of activities.

The idea of spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools first emerged in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. As early as 2004, the city took the lead in piloting the system, which was later expanded across the province.

This year, China's government work report, for the first time, called for introducing spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary school students in localities where conditions permit, elevating the policy from local trials to a national guideline. 

Spring breaks have since been promoted in elementary and secondary schools across eight provincial-level regions, including Shandong Province, Hunan Province, Zhejiang Province, Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province and Chongqing Municipality.

In some areas, the spring break falls just before the three-day Qingming Festival in early April, while in others it extends into the five-day May Day holiday, allowing students to combine leave into six- to eight-day mini-breaks. 

Students from Grade One to Grade Eight can enjoy the break, while senior-year students in middle schools and high schools are excluded as they are in their graduation years.

Experts say the move could bring multiple benefits. 

Introducing spring and autumn breaks can help ease students' academic pressure, give them more time to rest, and support their overall physical and mental well-being, said Peng Peng, executive president of the Guangdong Society of Reform. 

He added that aligning these breaks with parents' paid leave may encourage family travel and boost domestic consumption, while staggered schedules across regions could help ease peak travel congestion.

"Continuous study can lead to fatigue. Short breaks help relieve stress and create room for exploration and practical learning," said Wu Jinsong, a professor at South China Normal University who has long studied the issue, noting that expanding such breaks supports students' well-rounded development.

Students gain knowledge and develop their abilities not only through classrooms and textbooks, but also by visiting museums, libraries and experiencing nature, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. Introducing such breaks, he added, benefits not only individual well-being but also broader social development and economic growth.

Across the country, local authorities are rolling out a variety of educational and cultural activities, turning a simple calendar adjustment into an opportunity for broader learning beyond the classroom.

In east China's Zhejiang Province, Anji County has announced that during the 2026 spring break period – covering April 1 to 3 – 15 paid tourist attractions will offer free admission to primary and secondary school students nationwide aged 16 and under when accompanied by a parent or guardian with valid ID. These include popular scenic sites such as the China Bamboo Expo Park, North Zhejiang Grand Canyon, and the Anji Ancient City National Archaeological Site Park, among others.

In Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, students aged 7 to 16 can take public transportation free of charge from April 1 to 3 during the spring break. At the same time, Nanjing's Hongshan Forest Zoo will distribute 45,000 free tickets to students nationwide aged 16 and under over the three-day break. 

The Suzhou Metro in Jiangsu Province is also offering free rides for students in the same age group, while the Suzhou Museum has introduced special parent-child reservation sessions.

In southwest China's Sichuan Province, a total of 136 scenic spots have introduced incentives such as free admission for primary and secondary school students during the spring break, including top-rated destinations such as Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System scenic area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, more than 100 curated study-tour routes have been launched, covering themes such as humanities, nature and science.

With growing travel enthusiasm for spring break combined with the Qingming Festival holiday, the country's tourism market is gaining momentum. 

Data from travel platform Qunar shows that the number of air passengers under the age of 18 is expected to more than double year on year, while visits by young travelers to scenic attractions are projected to more than triple. Between April 1 and 6, air passenger traffic to many popular destinations is forecast to increase by around 30% compared with the same period last year.

According to the national railway operator, China is likely to see 90.5 million railway passenger trips from Friday to next Tuesday during the upcoming Qingming Festival holiday travel rush.

However, there are also concerns raised about increasing childcare pressure due to the spring break, especially for dual-income families. To support the newly introduced breaks, a series of coordinated measures has also been rolled out. 

One company in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, has announced a three-day paid spring break for all employees, separate from annual leave, allowing families to better align their schedules.

In Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, authorities have encouraged employers to offer flexible arrangements such as staggered leave or compensatory time off, prioritizing workers with school-age children.

Schools and communities are also stepping in to support families by providing childcare services for dual-income households and vulnerable groups, along with supervised programs and themed study camps that combine recreation, learning and skills development.

(With input from Xinhua)