Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is the fifth solar term of a year, known as "Pure Brightness" in English. It is also the only solar term on Chinese lunar calendar that is also an important traditional festival.
As a day for both Tomb Sweeping and Spring Outing, it is a time when the admiration for life mixed with sorrow of death.
It usually falls around April 5, a time when the spring is in full bloom, and yet it is also one of the most important days to pay tribute to the deceased family members and relatives. But the two was separated at the very beginning, when the Hanshi Festival, or the “Cold Food Festival” was still being widely marked.
Where to go:
▷ Jinshanling Great Wall
Situated on the Yanshan Moutain, the border region of Beijing and Hebei, the Jinshanling Period of the Great Wall is located in Chengde, Hebei, about 130 km from urban Beijing. Built in the Ming Dynasty and under the management of Qi Jiguang, a famous general officer, the Great Wall at Jinshanling Scenic Spot is an AAAA tourist attraction now. Five barriers, 67 watch towers and 2 beacon tower were built along the 10.5 km-long period. It’s famous for wide view, wonderful landscape and exquisite architecture. The system of military defense is well-preserved and fully showcased here. Hence, it was enrolled in World Cultural Heritages in 1987. It’s also praised as the most wonderful period of the Great Wall.
In spring, the apricot flowers covering rolling mountains makes the best scenery of Beijing. The mild pink blossoms combined with steep Great Wall attracting many tourists.
Admission Fee: 65 RMB/person (March 16 – November 15)
55 RMB/person (November 16 – March 15)
Admission Hours: 8:00 – 17:00
▷ Fenghuangling
Fenghuangling is located in Haidian district. It is known for its lush mountains, turquoise water, white clouds against blue sky, layer upon layer of peaks and knolls, dense forests and winding trails, as well as exotic and rare plants blanketing the mountains. The pure and clean Arcadia is known as the “green lung” of the capital. As temperatures gradually climb, apricot flowers in the park are in full bloom. The white flowers with a dash of pink, as well as their sweet smell, attracted many visitors and photographers.
Address: Fenghuangling Road No.19, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District, Beijing
▷ Tanzhe Temple
When mentioned magnolia blossoms, Tanzhe Temple is a must-go in Beijing. A famous old magnolia tree named “Er Qiao Yu Lan”, whose petals are in two gradient colors, attracted numerous visitors every spring.
Built in 307 A.D, the Tanzhe Temple boasts one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Beijing with a history of over 1,700 years. The Temple was built earlier than the Beijing city, so it's often said that “here came the Tanzhe Temple first, and then the Beijing city”. Surrounded by nine mountains, Tanzhe Temple boasts a warm and humid climate, tall old trees, numerous pagodas and magnificent halls. The architectures of the temple are well-arranged according to the terrain with the decoration of bamboo trees and rare flowers, creating a picturesque environment.
Opening time:
Apr. - Oct.: 8:00--17:00
Nov. - Mar.: 8:00--16:30
How to get there:
Take subway line One and get off at Pingguoyuan Station, then connect bus 931 to Tanzhe Temple, and it takes about a one-hour ride.
Drive along National Highway G108 and exit when you see the billboard pointing to Tanzhe Temple. It is quite difficult to find a parking lot during the peak season.
Ticket Price:
55 yuan per adult
Free for children under 1.1m height
Where to live:
▷ Brickyard Great Wall
The Brickyard Great Wall Retreat is an exquisite hotel located at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall featuring great design, traditional style, great views and eco-friendly. It is about 15-mintue drive from the Mutianyu Great Wall. The hotel was originally a tile factory founded in 1960s and was converted into this unique hotel with great views of the Great Wall in 2006. It deftly combines the original appearance of Chinese village and modern comfortable facilities.
The hotel possesses 25 guest rooms and 9 luxury villas perfect for couples, families and groups. With a mission to offer guests a peaceful escape, the spacious spaces also feature exposed brick and stone walls, rainforest showers, and spacious but minimally furnished rooms. No televisions or phone can be found in the room. Instead, there are lots of windowed walls and skylights, where you can enjoy vast starry sky while lying on the bed. Free wireless internet is available every corner of the hotel to satisfy the guests who must stay connected.
Other highlights include a spa, restaurant, fireplace lounge, fitness room, kids' programming, bicycles for rent, and Sunday morning yoga classes.
Address: Beigou Village, Huairou District, Beijing.
Tel: +86 10 6162 6506
▷ Guanshan Yard
Situated at Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing County, the courtyard is within about ten kilometers from tourist attractions like Yudu Mountain, Longqing Gorge, Guyaju Caves, International Grape Expo Park and Badaling Great Wall. Although it holds only six rooms for 16 guests, you can look forward to any kinds of pleasure. Moreover, it is the stomping ground for self-driving travelers. Having drunk and eaten your fill, you can ensconce yourself on the mountain viewing platform -- counting stars, playing guitar or surveying the Yingmeng Temple far away. When you wake up in the morning, you would be greeted by the greenery outside the window, the blue sky and white clouds over your head, the secret fragrance, the peaceful chirping and the distant green mountains.
Address: Jinjiabao Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing District
Tel.: 18210980817
▷ Banshan Small Courtyard (Ban Shan Xiao Yuan)
Situated at Madaoyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Banshan Small Courtyard adjoins Huaihuang Highway with easy access to other tourist attractions like the Mutianyu Great Wall 2.5 kilometers away, Hongluo Temple 8 kilometers away and Xiangshui Lake 10 kilometers away. It, perched on the hillside, offers commanding and expansive views. Here, without going out, you can feast on the mountain sceneries that vary according to seasons through the windows; when night falls, you can take a stroll around the yard, enjoying the star-studded skies and the glorious full moon; or you can watch sunrise and sunset to savor the natural landscapes.
Address: Madaoyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District
Tel.: 18911298199
What to Eat:
Spring roll is a smooth round thin pancake wrapping around vegetables. The pancake is made of dough with boiling water, which is oiled before being cooked. So the pancake features a soft and smooth taste, perfected by the crisp vegetables in it which are on your choice like bean sprouts, fragrant-flowered garlic, shredded meat, shredded bamboo shoots, chopped green onion, and even shredded chicken or oyster, shrimp meat, black mushrooms and hotbed chives for better taste.
▷ Ju En Yuan
Ju En Yuan is a good place to have a decent meal in a hutong. It is located at an ordinary small Beijing quadrangle courtyard, where you can reach through numerous winding paths. This is the place where you can experience Bejingers' life. The restaurant offers fascinating marinated sauces and its specialties like spring pancakes, fried assorted vegetables, marinated food and its sauces are very impressive. The spring pancakes are the same as those people make at home. Its menu also includes many Beijing dishes and snacks and the courtyard stores many liquor collections. If you have time, why not hang out with your friends and have a meal here. A meal here is neither costly nor flashy, but you will always feel comfortable and satisfied.
Address: No.11, Shajing Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing 沙井胡同11号
▷ Lao Lao Jia
It is fair to say that Lao Lao Jia is an online-popular restaurant that offers spring pancakes. Even in workdays, there will always be a long queue while the great taste is worth waiting for. Spicy and sour shredded potato is a must-order dish here.
It should be noted that there are sweetend rolls among shredded chili and potato, which offer a particularly sour flavor, making the dish super refreshing.
Hot and spicy shredded meat, another must-eat, tasting crisp and toothsome, perfect with spring pancakes.
Address: Building 304, West Blizhuang Beili, Shifoying Road 石佛营路路西八里庄北里304号楼
(With input from CGTN)
