Cemetery visits to soar as Tomb Sweeping Day nears

Visits to cemeteries are expected to surge in the coming days as China’s traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, which falls on April 4 this year, draws near.

According to the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, Babaoshan Cemetery, one of the city’s best known graveyards, is expected to receive 400,000 visits this year, while the cemeteries in Changping District will attract 90,000 visits.

Visits for ceremonial tomb tributes are supposed to reach a pinnacle on March 25 and March 26. To protect air conditions and prevent fire disasters, the cemetery reception offices are providing more than 1 million chrysanthemums in the hope they will replace the customary burning of posthumous banknotes with a safe and pollution-free etiquette to pay homage to the deceased.

People can also tie yellow silk ribbons and place cards of remembrance for their departed loved ones.

Wheelchairs and medicines are also available at the cemeteries in case of any emergencies, while phone rechargers and Wi-Fi coverage are all at visitors' disposal.

To relieve the traffic congestion during the peak days, Beijing has opened 13 temporary bus routes for tomb sweeping traffic. Besides, firefighters are deployed near the cemeteries to tackle any possible dangers.