10 destinations for a Qingming outing

Huangling, Jiangxi. About 300 kilometers away from Jiangxi's capital, Nanchang, lays Huangling, which is labeled as "China's most beautiful symbol". The natural views of Huangling are highlighted by its terraced fields and seas of flowers in spring. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Qingming Festival, also called Tomb Sweeping Day, is the most important holiday for Chinese to remember the deceased. It occurs on April 5 this year, and the festival that comes with a three-day holiday will see many people returning to their hometowns to sweep the tombs. As one of the 24 Chinese solar terms, the traditional festival also has a close relationship with agriculture. As temperatures start to rise and rainfall increases, it is the time for plowing and sowing in the spring.

However, Qingming is not only about commemorating the dead and farming. Nature is awakening everywhere during this period. Trees will turn green, flowers will blossom, and the sun will shine brighter. It is a good time to go out and appreciate the beauty of nature as the weather warms up. This is not a modern interpretation. The custom of spring outings during Qingming Festival can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).