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Many people will seize the opportunity to use this year's annual Qingming Festival to pay their respects to ancestors. But they will also have time to take a well-earned break.

Qingming, the nation's annual Tomb-Sweeping Day, boasts a long and proud tradition, even in a thriving, busy City like Suzhou.

But it takes on special significance this year because, for the first time, next Friday's Qingming has been declared a public holiday.

The result of dropping the week-long May Day holiday makes Qingming an ideal long weekend break for a sojourn to attractions within easy reach of Suzhou.

With the ancestral hometowns of many locals in nearby provinces, the festival is a good way for a short spring outing, or taqing (treading the grass), be it by rail, bus or bike.

Even those still observing the tomb-sweeping tradition will be able to find time for other activities. Here are some suggestions.

To heaven on Earth

As the Chinese saying goes, "Up in Heaven is paradise, down on Earth are Suzhou and Hangzhou." Both cities are unrivalled in their pictorial charm but with a massive number of people expected to travel to Suzhou for tomb sweeping, Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, might be a better option this holiday.

At the heart of the city is West Lake, famous for its breathtaking views and an inspiration for renowned poet Su Dongpo who personified the lake as a refined lady in an elegant dress in one of his famous works.

In Hangzhou, visitors can take a relaxed break with a leisurely stroll by the lake, away from the rest of city which is quite heavily developed. The undulating hills, fresh air and lush green vegetation surrounding the lake, offer a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Trains from Suzhou Railway Station leave and return at regular intervals. Try out the China Railway high-speed (CRH) train. Travel time is about 1 hour and tickets cost between 35 and 60 Yuan.

A blast from the past

Not far from Suzhou is the mouth of the Yangtze River and the water towns that line the banks of the Grand Canal system - one of the world's most impressive, man-made engineering feats.

And culturally rich Wuzhen, located in the middle of six ancient towns south of the river, is one not to be missed. The 2,000-year-old town offers a picturesque side of old China complete with an impressive labyrinth of canals, bridges and old passageways surrounded by ancient waterside residences, traditional teahouses and souvenir and handicraft shops.

Historically the town is also known as the birthplace of famous scholars such as Mao Dun, a prominent contemporary Chinese writer. Wuzhen is easily accessible by bus, just an hour from Hangzhou.

Source: Shanghai Daily

Click the read more button to get historical information about the Qing Ming festival!

Qing Ming, which means clear and bright in Chinese, falls on April 5th this year. It is both the fifth term in the traditional lunar calendar and a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the dead. It is a time to express one's grief for his lost relatives. An ancient elegiac poem, which described a grievous woman, was read that vines tangled in vain and weeds crept in the graveyard, and her husband slept there lonely. It was so difficult to endure for her as if summer in the day and winter at night. And her only wish was to reunite with him after death.

People often go to sweep and weed graves with whole family and take a walk in the countryside as well. In Tang Dynasty, the habit of taking an excursion on this day was developed. At this time, spring returns and dominates the earth again. The feel of growing life is in the air, with sap ascending in trees and buds bursting. And the willow branches inserted on each gate add vigor and vitality to the surroundings. But it actually means more than that. This custom can be traced back to over one thousand years ago.

During the Period of Spring and Autumn in the Jin Kingdom, one of the King's sons was called Chong Er. Jealous of his talent, a concubine falsely accused him of rebellion to make her son the crown prince. He had no choice but to flee and with him were some officials. They hid themselves in a mountain and went hungry for quite some time. An official named Jie Zitui took great pain to cut some flesh from his thigh and cooked it for Chong Er. When the fact was known the young master was moved to tears and knelt down in gratitude. And Jie replied his best repayment should be a just king. They lived a life of hunger and cold for three years until the evil concubine died. Many soldiers were sent to look for him and to escort him back home. Going into the carriage, he saw an official packed an old mat onto a horse, he said laughingly, 'What on earth is the use of that? Throw it away!' Jie Zitui heard it and sighed, 'It is hardship that can be shared with his majesty but not prosperity.' So he went away quietly and lived in seclusion with his old mother.

As Chong Er became king, he rewarded many people but he forgot Jie Zitui. He did not realize it until was reminded. However his invitation was refused and he flared up. Soldiers were ordered to burn up the mountain to force Jie to come out. Finally they found Jie and his mother scorched under a willow. He would rather die than yield to the power. Chong Er was so overwhelmed with regret that he ordered people hold memorial ceremony for Jie. So every year on that day folks mourned for him and the day before ate cold meals, which avoided making fire. Later the custom of inserting willow branches on gates was also added.

Source of History: About.com

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