China Celebrates the Qingming Festival – A Time to Honour One’s Ancestors

On 4th April 2024, China observed the Qingming Festival, one of the most significant traditional festivals in the country. Also known as “Tomb Sweeping Day”, Qingming is a time for families to commemorate and show respect to their ancestors. During the festival period, that extended beyond one day, families visited the tombs of their departed loved ones and engaged in various traditions to honour them. This included cleaning the gravesites, removing weeds, and adding fresh soil and flowers. Offerings of food, wine, or tea were presented to the ancestral spirits, along with the burning of incense and joss paper (a symbolic representation of money).

Apart from honouring one’s ancestors, Qingming was a time for experiencing the beauty of spring as people enjoyed outings amidst blooming flowers. Locals spent their time flying kites as well, while families also placed willow branches on their gates and front doors, a custom believed to ward off evil spirits during this period. Those based at a 5 star hotel in Ningbo had a chance to explore this Chinese city and enjoy the festival atmosphere; such properties include Pan Pacific Ningbo from where one can continue to soak up the nation’s rich culture and witness the beauty of spring.