In a significant shift aimed at reducing academic pressure and promoting well-rounded growth, China has introduced autumn breaks for primary and secondary school students. This initiative, part of the nation’s ongoing education reforms, seeks to balance classroom learning with practical, real-world experiences. Chen Mingshan, a 10-year-old fifth-grader from Lichuan, Hubei province, is among the first to experience this new holiday. ‘My parents are taking me to the countryside to pick tangerines and dig up sweet potatoes,’ he said excitedly. ‘The best part is there’s no homework—just free time to enjoy.’ The Lichuan Education Bureau announced a nine-day autumn break from November 3 to November 7, extending the holiday by including two weekends. Schools are mandated to implement the break uniformly, with no written homework or mandatory tasks assigned. Teachers and parents alike have welcomed the initiative. Xiao Junling, a teacher at Lichuan Second Ethnic Experimental Primary School, noted that families are planning meaningful activities, such as learning tea processing, recording Tujia folk songs, or exploring nature reserves. Huang Jie, a parent, praised the opportunity for relaxed, off-peak travel, allowing children to truly unwind. This innovative approach integrates local culture and hands-on learning, transforming abstract knowledge into tangible experiences.