October 1st is the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and celebrated as China’s National Holiday. An important occasion, the holiday is celebrated all of the People’s Republic of China.

Since the National Party Plenum meeting in May 1999, Chinese people have been guaranteed a week off during the holiday, turning the holiday into both a patriotic and economic fixture of the Autumn season. In folk parlance, National Day is referred to as one of the “Golden Weeks”, of the year, the other one being the week during the Chinese Lunar New Year.

On October 1st in 1949 the Chinese people, under the leadership of Communist Party of China, declared victory in War of Liberation against the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek. The grand ceremony for the founding of People's Republic of China was held on this day in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central People's Government, solemnly declared the founding of P.R.C. at the ceremony and raised the first national flag of China himself. 300,000 soldiers and people gathered on the square for the grand parade and procession.

The National Day Parade

The National Day Parade was designated by CPPCC as an important component of the grand ceremony for the founding of P.R.C. From 1949 to 1959, 11 national parades were held on October first, though no national parades were held for the next 24 years. It was not until 1984 that the national parade was resumed by the then Central People's Government at the urging of Comrade Deng Xiaoping on the thirty-fifth National Day of the P.R.C. Since that time, when the anniversary is a multiple of five (e.g. the 50th, 55th, or 60th), large scale state functions may be held such as the inspection of troops in Tiananmen Square. Therefore, there will be a Grand National Day Parade in 2009 for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the funding of P.R.C.

Fireworks Show

Fireworks displays are usually held nationwide in all cities during China's National Day, one of the grandest and most famous being The Hong Kong National Day Fireworks Display held since 1997 in Victoria Harbor.

The 2008 Hong Kong National Day Fireworks Display is to kick off at nine o'clock October 1st in Victorian Harbor. There will be 23,000 fireworks exploding above the sky of Victorian Harbor and over 100,000 people getting together to celebrate the 59th birthday of the People's Republic of China.

National Day Concert

National Day Concerts are usually held primarily in big cities. This year, the two concerts getting the most attention are The Music Spectacular Water Cube Concert and The Shanghai National Day Concert, scheduled to kick off in Beijing and Shanghai respectively.

Music Spectacular Water Cube Concert

The Music Spectacular Water Cube Concert will be held in the National Aquatics Center, also known as The Water Cube. The venue is to open at 19:30 pm during on September 30, 2008 with shows and celebrations continuing until January 2009. The commencement celebration will be a grand symphonic concert which perfectly integrates lighting, laser shows, overwhelming audio-visual effects, and waterscapes, each one featuring performances by famous Chinese stars. Ticket range in price from RMB200 to RMB800.

Shanghai National Day Concert

The Shanghai National Day Concert is to be celebrated at 19:30 October 1st at the concert hall of The Shanghai Oriental Art Center. It will be mainly performed by The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and The Shanghai Light Music Orchestra. Audiences not only can enjoy renowned Chinese folk and classical music, but can also appreciate world famous masterpieces in the gallery. Ticket prices range from RMB100 to RMB480.

National Day Decorations

The Flower Bed in Tiananmen Square

The National Day Flower Bed festival is found in the main squares of many cities during National Day. The Flower Bed in Tiananmen Square is of course the grandest and most beautiful. The highlight of the Tiananmen Square Flower Bed this National Day is a 9.9meter-high palace lantern. It is the highest palace Lantern in Beijing. It is made of delicately carved high quality wood. It is decorated with Chinese paintings of peony as well as the Great Wall and topped with life-like dragons' heads. 200,000 potted flowers are used to form the flower bed and sure to fill Beijing with festive ambiance.

Hanging Red Chinese Lanterns

During China's National Day, red lanterns are seen everywhere, especially hanging at the gates of government office buildings as well as all kinds of stores and shops. The red lantern is a symbol of festivity, luck and happiness.

 Sysbel China Co., Ltd