The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday observed on April 4 or 5 each year.

As one of the most important holidays on the Chinese calendar, it holds significant cultural and spiritual importance as a time for families to honor their ancestors and perform rituals to pay respects. Meanwhile, it also marks the arrival of spring and is an occasion for outdoor activities.

Here are some traditional customs and popular activities during Qingming.

Tomb-sweeping: The Qingming Festival is an occasion of remembrance as families pay their respects to ancestors by cleaning and tidying up their graves and make offerings such as flowers, foods, liquor and burning incense.

Breaking willow bark: Few things are more representative of spring than the sight of willow bark flowing in a gentle breeze. Breaking and collecting them has been a Qingming tradition that goes back to the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. Some people believe they offer protection against misfortunes.

Planting trees: As the temperature warms, increasing precipitation creates ideal conditions for the growth of vegetation. It's hard to find a better time to plant trees than during the Qingming Festival.

Tug of war: During Qingming Festival, communities come together to participate in various outdoor activities, including tug of war, as a way to celebrate the arrival of spring, strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of solidarity among the participants.

Cuju: Cuju is a traditional Chinese sport similar to soccer. It is played during Qingming Festival as a way to commemorate the holiday with physical activity and social bonding. It is also one of the oldest forms of football worldwide, dating back to ancient times.