There are several times during the year when the processing of adoptions in China is slowed. These are due to holidays and other major events that affect major sections of the China adoption process.
The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year is the largest and most well celebrated holiday of the year. All functions both government and private slow down during the period leading up to the holiday. There are many events, parties, and other celebrations on the date of the New Year and for several days thereafter. Little if anything gets done for the week of this holiday. The actual date of the New Year varies with the lunar cycle. The dates for the next several years are given below.
1999: February 16, Year of the Rabbit 2000: February 5, Year of the Dragon 2001: January 24, Year of the Snake 2002: February 12, Year of the Horse 2003: February 1, Year of the Goat 2004: January 22, Year of the Monkey 2005: February 9, Year of the Rooster 2006: January 29, Year of the Dog 2007: February 18, Year of the Pig.
Twice a year a major trade fair is held in the city of Guangzhou. During these periods hotel rooms are difficult if not impossible to find and all hotels and restaraunts double (at least) their prices. All adoptive parents must spend two days in Guangzhou getting the immigration paperwork done at the United States Consulate. Therefore, travel is usually scheduled to avoid the trade fairs. The dates of the trade fairs are usually the last two weeks in April and the last two weeks in October.
International Labor Day Holiday
Holiday celebrating the victory of the Chinese Communist forces under Mao Zedong in 1949 over the Nationalist Forces.
NOTE: The US consulate is CLOSED for the National Liberation Day Holidays and no visas can be issued.
Twice a year a major trade fair is held in the city of Guangzhou. During these periods hotel rooms are difficult if not impossible to find and all hotels and restaraunts double (at least) their prices. All adoptive parents must spend two days in Guangzhou getting the immigration paperwork done at the United States Consulate. Therefore, travel is usually scheduled to avoid the trade fairs. The dates of the trade fairs are normally the last two weeks in April and the last two weeks in October.
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