Tomb Sweeping Day in China 2022

 Qingming Festival (清明节 or Qīngmíngjié in pīnyīn), also called Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, is an important traditional Chinese holiday. The festival is celebrated both in China and among members of Chinese communities around the world. The main activity that people engage in on this day is cleaning the tombs of their ancestors.

The history of Qingming

The Qingming Festival started over 2,500 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty. Emperors would offer sacrifices in honor of their ancestors in exchange for wealth, peace and good harvests for the country. In 732, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty stated respect must be paid at ancestors’ graves. Over time, this developed into the tomb-sweeping tradition.

Ching Ming, a spring celebration

Ching Ming is more than honoring those who have passed. The early spring date makes it naturally a celebration of life, beauty and the season of renewal. As part of Ching Ming celebrations, many families will picnic at the cemetery, fly kites, take a walk and play tug-of-war. It's also a good time for planting flowers and trees, which many families will also do together. These activities are time spent with generations of loved ones sharing memories of those who have gone before them.

In the United States and Canada, many Asian families celebrate Ching Ming. Some visit the cemeteries that are the final resting places of loved ones who died. Others will make a pilgrimage to China or another foreign land to be close to their departed. In China, Ching Ming is an official national holiday.