Qing ming(tomb sweeping day)

Question

Hello. I would like to visit Beijing 27 March till 3 April. Is this a busy period due to qing ming (tomb sweeping day)? Thanks.

Answer

Qing Ming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, usually falls on April 4th or 5th each year. In 2025, it is on April 5th, which means your planned visit from 27 March to 3 April in Beijing will mostly avoid the peak of the holiday.

During Qing Ming itself, there is typically increased travel as people visit ancestral tombs, parks, and cemeteries outside major cities. However, Beijing's city center, tourist sites, and hotels are generally less impacted compared to rural or suburban areas where tomb sweeping occurs.

Here are some points to consider:

Air and rail transport can be slightly busier around April 4–6, especially for domestic travel to regions like Hebei, Shanxi, and rural outskirts where many families honor their ancestors.
Main tourist attractions in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall, are unlikely to be overwhelmingly crowded due to Qing Ming itself.
Hotels in central Beijing generally do not get fully booked specifically because of Qing Ming, but weekend periods before the festival might see slightly higher demand.

Additional advice:

Plan outdoor visits and day trips early in the day to avoid local crowds.
Book any domestic flights, trains, or long-distance buses well in advance if you plan to travel outside Beijing during that period.
Be prepared for slightly heavier traffic around major cemeteries or suburban areas popular for tomb sweeping.

Overall, your stay from 27 March to 3 April should not coincide with peak Qing Ming crowds in central Beijing, so it is a good period to visit the city.

Qing ming(tomb sweeping day)

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