Qingming Festival falls annually on April 4th, 5th or 6th, depending on the solar calendar. It occurs 15 days after the Spring Equinox, marking the 5th of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar.
The exact date can vary slightly each year. The festival is always celebrated on the same day of the solar calendar, ensuring that it coincides with the arrival of spring.
Qingming Festival is also celebrated as a public holiday in China. The festival is typically a 3-day holiday.
Year | Qingming Festival Date |
2025 | April 4th |
2026 | April 5th |
2027 | April 5th |
2028 | April 4th |
2029 | April 4th |
2030 | April 5th |
Qingming Festival is a time-honoured tradition that has been observed in China for over 2,500 years. Its origins can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), where it was initially celebrated as a seasonal rite tied to ancestral worship and agricultural practices.
Historically, Qingming was part of the "Cold Food Festival" (Han Shi), a time when families would abstain from cooking hot food in memory of Jie Zitui, a nobleman of the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. Jie’s loyalty led to his tragic death, and the Cold Food Festival was created in his honour. Over time, the festival merged with Qingming, which was celebrated as a day for tomb sweeping and honouring the deceased.
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The primary purpose of Qingming is to honour and pay respects to deceased ancestors. This tradition is rooted in the belief that ancestors continue to play a role in the lives of their descendants, and it is through these rituals that families ensure their continued well-being.
Qingming Festival provides a dedicated time for families to come together and perform these rituals, reinforcing family bonds and the passing down of traditions.
Qingming also marks the arrival of spring, a time for renewal and growth. With people taking part in outdoor activities such as spring outings (踏青, tàqīng), when they go on nature walks or picnics to enjoy the beauty of blossoming flowers and the fresh air.
In addition to grave sweeping, Qingming Festival also involves a form of "spring cleaning," symbolising not just physical cleanliness but also the clearing of old, negative energy to make space for new beginnings.
The most important tradition during Qingming is visiting the graves of ancestors to show respect. Families clean the graves of their ancestors, removing weeds, tidying the area, and ensuring the tombstones are in good condition.
People offer food, tea, and incense to their ancestors to show reverence. Some also burn spirit money as a symbolic offering for the afterlife.
Qingming Festival coincides with the arrival of spring, making it a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Take a leisurely stroll through the countryside, visit parks, or enjoy a picnic in nature.
Many people visit areas with blooming cherry blossoms, peach trees, or other spring flowers to enjoy the seasonal beauty.
A popular Qingming tradition is flying kites, which is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
In addition to tomb sweeping, some people visit temples or shrines during Qingming to pray for health, wealth, and good fortune for the coming year.
Qingming Festival is also an occasion for family gatherings because it's celebrated as a holiday. It's a time to come together, share meals, and reflect on family history and traditions.
Look out for traditional music, dance, and art performances that celebrate Chinese culture and the themes of Qingming. Some places also host special markets where people can buy festival-related items, such as paper offerings, flowers, and kites.
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Made from glutinous rice dough that is infused with the flavors of mugwort (Ai Ye) or other herbs, it has a distinct green color and a fresh, herbal aroma. Inside, it is typically filled with sweet red bean paste, although savory versions with sesame or minced meat can also be found.
It is made by mixing simple ingredients like flour and eggs, then deep-frying them into long, thin strands. The result is a crispy, crunchy texture with a rich, wheat-like flavor.
It consists of thin, soft pancakes made from wheat flour, typically filled with fresh, seasonal vegetables and meats such as chicken, beef, or pork.
It is made from glutinous rice flour and plant extracts like mugwort or vegetable roots, giving it a green or purplish hue. The rice cake has a chewy, soft texture and is often filled with sweet red bean paste or savory ingredients like salted egg yolk.
The mugwort itself has a unique fragrance and medicinal properties, making the cake not only delicious but also believed to have health benefits, such as dispelling internal cold and promoting well-being.
Grab Flights to China
In response to environmental concerns, many people now opt for eco-friendly rituals, such as using biodegradable offerings or donating to charity in memory of the deceased instead of burning paper money and incense.
Moreover, as urbanization has made tomb sweeping less common, many cities offer cemetery services where people can pay for grave maintenance, leaving flowers or offerings without physically visiting.
Singapore and Malaysia: There are large Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia, Qingming is celebrated as a time for honoring ancestors, with tomb sweeping and making offerings at cemeteries being common practices.
Vietnam: While not exactly the same, Vietnam has a similar tradition during their "Tết Thanh Minh" (the Tomb Sweeping Day), which occurs around the same time as Qingming. People visit the graves of ancestors and perform similar rituals of cleaning tombstones and making offerings.
