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Qingming Festival 2013
Editor's picks

Exploring China’s spring destinations

The arrival of the traditional Chinese Tomb-sweeping Day also marks the highpoint of the spring season.
The Cherry blossoms of Kunming
Cole flowers in Wuyuan
Peach blossoms in Zhoushan Archipelago

Latest

Guarding the legacy of emperors

It was a clear day in March, and the air was still cold on this morning of early spring in Beijing.

Romance, ghosts and sports

The Qingming Festival is traditionally a time for courtship, making sure the spirits are content and enjoying picnics and other outdoor activities with the coming of the better weather.

Authorities encourage people to choose ecological burial

Ecological burial services are gaining popularity across China, as the authorities try to ease the severe shortage of cemetery space.

Chinese embrace eco-burials

Chinese traditionally believe that souls may rest in peace only if their bodies properly buried underground in coffins. But today, many are becoming open to other options, like scattering ashes in the sea or inlaying funeral urns in walls.

High-speed destinations for the holiday

With the rapid expansion of China’s high-speed rail network, cities that were considered far from Beijing are now only a short ride away.
Jinan
Xi’an

Toll-free for Tomb Sweeping holiday

Drivers of passenger cars could enjoy a toll-free journey during the coming Tomb Sweeping holiday in April.

Photos & videos

Qingming Cultural Festival opens in C China

The Qingming Cultural Festival which features performances, Song Dynasty (960-1279) dresses and honoring ancestors opens in Kaifeng city, Henan province on April 3.

Ai Fruit makes Qingming Festival delicious

A street vendor on Yincheng street, Dexing city, Jiangxi province removes boiled Ai Fruit from a pot of boiling water.

Sea burial held in China's Tianjin ahead of Qingming Festival

Sea burial held in China's Tianjin ahead of Qingming Festival

Qingming Festival marked around China

Citizens have begun to remember and honour their deceased family members and ancestors as the annual Qingming Festival draws near.

Farmers pick tea leaves early to ensure best taste

Tea farmers here are busy with picking tea leaves before the Qingming Festival which falls on April 4 this year, as this kind of tea is regarded to have the best taste among all green teas.

Riverside scene at Qingming Festival

With drumbeats thundering and lions dancing, the Beijing Xicheng District Shichahai Maiden Voyage Ceremony was kicked off on the lakeside of Shichahai on April 20, 2011.

About the festival

Qingming Festival

Qingming Festival, means clear and bright in Chinese, is the day for mourning the dead. It falls in early April every year.
Celebration
Flying kites

Legend of Tomb Sweeping Day

Qinming Festival originated from Hanshi Day, a memorial day for Jie Zitui. Jie Zitui died in 636 BC in the Spring and Autumn Period. He was one of many followers of Duke Wen of Jin before he became a Duke.

Hanshi

Haishi Day (or Cold Food Day) is the very day just before the Qingming Festival (also named Tomb Sweeping Day, or Clear and Bright Festival). On the Hanshi day every year, no fire or smoke is allowed and people shall eat cold food for the whole day.

Qingming in literature

Qingming was frequently mentioned in Chinese Literature. Among these, the most famous one is probably Du Mu's poem (simply titled "Qingming")

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