Hands-on cultural experiences are attracting visitors across China during the Qingming Festival holiday, which runs from April 4 to 6, boosting local tourism consumption.
The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 5 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival in which people pay tribute to the deceased and worship their ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for people as they engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing.
At Tuyugou scenic area in Shanshan County, Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a range of activities highlighting local culture was launched at its cultural tourism town. Visitors enjoy performances and hands-on workshops crafting traditional intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items, including ethnic embroidery.
"Now there are many tourists, and they like silk scarves, clothing and small cultural products, all of which sell very well. I work with fellow villagers in the workshops, and we increase our incomes together. Our lives are getting better and better," said a local vendor.
During the Qingming Festival holiday, activities related to the tradition of "GaCanhua" were launched in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, drawing strong participation from local silkworm farmers and visitors.
"GaCanhua," a traditional sericulture-related folk activity in Huzhou, was inscribed on China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008. Originating from ancient customs of praying for favorable weather and a good silkworm harvest, the event has been passed down for centuries.
Stalls featuring traditions, including flower-making, are packed with visitors eager to try the craft themselves and experience the unique charm of the heritage.
"Lots of people have participated in the activity, which helps spread the culture of the festival to more places. I appreciate this," said Xu Han, a tourist.
The Qingming Festival holiday also coincides with the peak season for spring tea picking. In Shangyou County, Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, tea gardens are seeing a surge in visitors. This year, local operators introduced new offerings by turning freshly picked pre-Qingming tea into seasonal delicacies. Creative dishes such as deep-fried tea leaves are gaining popularity.
In addition to tea picking, visitors also experience tea processing and tasting, and watch tea-picking opera performances.
"Spring tea is the best raw material of the year. This year, by integrating food and recreational experiences around tea, we have further boosted the plantation's tourism revenue," said Chen Kaimin, head of a tea plantation in Yuancun Village of Shangyou County.
In Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, visitors are picking spring tea in tea gardens and experiencing traditional techniques such as stone-pressing tea cakes and wrapping them in cotton paper, creating customized tea products.
Qingming Festival outings across China boost immersive cultural tourism
