sweep tombs and offer sacrifices. traffic on the way to the cemeteries becomes extremely jammed. the customs have been greatly simplified today. after slightly sweeping the tombs, people offer food, flowers and favorites of the dead, then burn incense and paper money and bow before the memorial tablet.
in contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of spring on this day. the qingming festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. since ancient times, people have followed the custom of spring outings. at this time tourists are everywhere.
people love to fly kites during the qingming festival. kite flying is actually not limited to the qingming festival. its uniqueness lies in that people fly kites not during the day, but also at night. a string of little lanterns tied onto the kite or the thread look like shining stars, and therefore, are called "god's lanterns."
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