The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration that blends remembrance with seasonal change.

Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, this annual event is marked by visits to ancestral graves, spring outings, and symbolic rituals.

Falling in early April, the tradition signals the revival of nature and the time to pay respects to those who came before us.

Until today, the Qingming Festival remains one of the most important cultural observances in Chinese communities worldwide.

The Qingming Festival is also known as Ching Ming Festival, Cheng Beng Day, and Tomb Sweeping Festival.

While these names may vary by region or dialect, they refer to the same traditional observance rooted in Chinese culture.

In Mandarin, the celebration is called Qingming Jie, which means “pure brightness”.

This reflects the spring season, symbolising physical and spiritual renewal.

Ching Ming is the Cantonese pronunciation, while Cheng Beng is commonly used among Southeast Asian Chinese communities.

Although the names differ, they all share the same focus; to pay tribute to deceased ancestors.

Beyond its solemn tone, the festival also encourages people to enjoy the arrival of spring through outdoor activities and traditional foods.

The Qingming Festival dates back more than 2,500 years.

It is thought to have its roots in the Cold Food Festival (Hanshi Jie), a period during which only cold meals were consumed.

This practice was to honour Jie Zitui, a loyal retainer during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Legend has it that Jie once fed his starving lord by cutting flesh from his leg.

Years later, when the lord became king, he attempted to reward Jie, who had since retreated into the mountains with his mother.

However, when the king burned the forest down to find them, it tragically led to the family’s deaths in the flames.

Struck by grief, the king decreed a day of no fire in memory of Jie and his mother, which became the Cold Food Festival.

He noticed willow trees blooming when he returned to the site the following year.

This later inspired him to create the Qingming Festival the day after Hanshi Jie.

Over time, the two observances merged into one, combining mourning with renewal.

As centuries passed, the festival’s customs evolved under various dynasties.

While its core purpose remained, additional practices became part of the tradition.

Today, Qingming Festival Holiday continues to be an important occasion that honours cultural heritage and seasonal transitions.

The Qingming Festival is observed on 4 or 5 April each year, aligning with the 15th day after the spring equinox.

It is one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, marking a shift toward warmer weather and longer days.

This year, the festival fell on 4 April, with many people taking time off work to travel or participate in family rituals.

Meanwhile, in 2026, it is predicted to be held on 5 April, and the official public holiday in China is scheduled from 4 to 6 April.

During the pandemic years, traditions adapted to new norms.

In Qingming 2021, many opted for virtual tomb sweeping as travel restrictions and health concerns limited visits to ancestral gravesites.

This trend continued in Qingming 2022, with online platforms offering digital memorial services and remote offerings.

By Qingming 2023, in-person visits gradually resumed, but virtual offerings remained a popular choice for those living far from family tombs.

Celebrating the Qingming Festival involves a balance of reflection and renewal.

Families pay respects at cemeteries while taking the opportunity to enjoy the changing season. 

The customs vary by region, but most follow similar traditions passed down over generations.

The most essential ritual during the Tomb Sweeping Festival is visiting ancestral graves. 

Families clean tombstones, remove weeds, and present offerings like fruit, wine, and the deceased’s favourite dishes.

Incense is burned, and paper replicas of money or daily items are set alight to provide for loved ones in the afterlife.

This practice, central to Qingming customs, symbolises filial piety and remembrance.

Springtime excursions are another popular Qingming Festival activity.

Families and friends head outdoors to enjoy blooming flowers, green landscapes, and fresh air. 

This tradition, which began during the Tang Dynasty, serves as a joyful counterpart to the solemn act of tomb sweeping.

Kite flying during the festival is recreational and symbolic.

First, the participants will attach lanterns or notes to their kites.

Once airborne, the strings are sometimes cut to let them fly freely.

This act is believed to release troubles and bring good fortune.

It is also a cherished Qingming Festival activity among children and adults.

Food plays an important role during the festival.

One of the most iconic Qingming Festival foods is qingtuan, a green glutinous rice dumpling with sweet red bean paste.

Derived from Chinese mugwort or barley grass, its colour represents spring’s arrival.

Served cold, qingtuan is closely associated with Qingming and the Cold Food Festival.

In mainland China, especially in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, people travel to family graveyards in rural areas.

The highways can get congested as families journey together.

Cemeteries are usually full of people during this time, and it is common to see offerings and incense at each tombstone.

In Hong Kong, the Ching Ming Festival is a public holiday, with large crowds flocking to cemeteries in the New Territories.

Special transport services are arranged to accommodate the influx.

Some families travel to Guangdong to visit the graves of ancestors buried across the border.

In Taiwan, Qingming Festival Holiday is observed with ceremonies at private and public tombs. 

Many also use the day for leisure, blending ancestral rites with a picnic or walk in the park.

The government may hold commemorative events for national heroes during this period.

In Malaysia and Indonesia, families travel to cemeteries early in the morning to avoid the heat during the Cheng Beng Day.

Traditional offerings are made, and family gatherings often follow the visit.

Cremation is common due to space constraints in urban areas, with rituals carried out at columbaria or temples.

Travelling around the Qingming Festival period can be busy, particularly in regions with large Chinese populations.

Therefore, here are some tips to make your trip smoother:

Travelling during Qingming Jie is more than just a trip; it is a meaningful occasion that blends tradition, family, and nature.

With a bit of preparation, you can participate in or witness a rich cultural event that continues to thrive across generations.

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