10 destinations for a Qingming outing in China

The Qingming Festival, also called Tomb Sweeping Day, is the most important holiday for Chinese to remember the deceased. It occurs either on April 4 or 5 in a given 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 ploughing 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).

Huangling, Jiangxi

About 300km away from Jiangxi's capital, Nanchang, lays Huangling, which is labelled 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

Luoping, Yunnan

Yellow canola flowers surrounding the mountains stretch into the far distance like a golden ocean in Luoping county, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Feb 25, 2015. Every spring, the entire county transforms into an ocean of canola flowers, attracting thousands of travellers and photographers who enjoy the spectacular views. The county was also included in CNN's list of 15 of the world's most colourful landscapes published last year. Photo: Xinhua

Badaling Great Wall, Beijing

Early April is the best time to see apricot flowers in bloom and the top place to view them in Beijing is the Badaling Great Wall. An apricot blossom festival is held annually and this year's 16-day event begins on April 4, offering discounts on admission tickets and additional services to better enjoy the season. Photo: IC

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Flowers stretch their petals earlier in the south than in the north, welcoming the spring in China. Hot and humid areas feature many tropical flowers, such as kapok blossoms, which are not found in the north. Take advantage of the warm weather, have some authentic dim sum and enjoy the city flowers of Guangzhou, which are blooming across the city and are as red as fire. Photo: IC

Nyingchi, Tibet

From virgin forests to seas of flowers and mountains stretching across the landscape, Nyingchi is a fascinating destination to explore. But the natural beauty of Nyinchi is most famous for its peach blossoms in spring. While the mountains afar are still covered with snow, peach flowers are already in full blossom. Photo: Xinhua

Congjiang, Guizhou

This photo taken on March 26, 2015 shows the scenery of terraced fields in Congjiang county, Southwest China's Guizhou province. Featuring wavelike mountains, terraced fields, traditional villages and minority cultures, Guizhou is one of the most interesting provinces to enjoy some rural life in spring. Photo: Xinhua

Tiger Hill, Hunan

A photo taken on March 21, 2015 shows cement pipes that are now guest rooms at Tiger Hill in Ruyang county, Luoyang city, central China's Hunan province. Now a popular outdoor sports and camping site among hipsters, Tiger Hill went through a makeover to transform its old houses and discarded grasslands. Visitors can now enjoy rock climbing, fishing, gliding and archery. The site also has fields for racing cars and motorcycles and horseback riding. Together with the country-style bars, a music square and unique hotel rooms, the place is an ideal destination for the young. Photo: IC

Tonglu, Zhejiang

A photo taken on March 23, 2015 shows the scenery in Yangshanfan village in Tonglu county of Hangzhou city, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. Various flowers blossom during spring in Tonglu, attracting tourists to visit the county and promoting local tourism. Photo: Xinhua

Wuhan University, Hubei

Crowds of tourists flock to Wuhan University to enjoy the cherry blossoms during the flowering season each year. To control the number of visitors, the university has started to charge visitors an admission fee. This year's cherry blossom festival officially started on March 18, and will hopefully last for 20 days. So, enjoy it while it lasts. Courtesy: China Daily

Hongcun, Anhui

Photo taken on March 25, 2015 shows the morning scenery of Nanhu, or South Lake, at Hongcun, an ancient village in Yixian county of Huangshan city, East China's Anhui province. Listed as a world cultural heritage site, the village preserved a remarkable extent of the surviving examples of Anhui-style architecture. Photo: Xinhua