Qingming Festival - Tomb Sweeping Day

Tomb-Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is one of the most important of all traditional Chinese holidays.

清明节 qīngmíng jié literally means clear and bright in reference to the weather, originated during the Spring and Autumn Period around 2500 years ago. Today, the forebear centered Tomb-Sweeping Day falls between April 4th and April 6th
青团 qīngtuán, an eye-catching green dumpling made out of sticky glutinous rice and barley grass usually filled with red bean
踏青 Tàqīng means walk in the green and while doing this some people wear a willow twig on their heads to keep ghosts away

In order to celebrate Tomb Sweeping Day families reunite and travel to their ancestors’ gravesites to pay their respects and they are usually granted a day off from school or work to allow travel to their hometowns. Once they have honored their ancestors at the gravesite by cleaning it and making offerings of food, incense and paper money, some families will have a picnic there. Then, they take advantage of the typically good weather to take a walk in the countryside, known as 踏青 Tàqīng.

Other traditional activities on Tomb Sweeping Day include flying kites, playing tug-of-war, and swinging on swings. It is also a good time for sowing fields and other agricultural activities, including planting willow trees. In the past, cooking fires were not permitted so people celebrated by eating a feast of cold foods and drinking cold drinks. The holiday is also well-known for the traditional snack 青团 qīngtuán.

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