Ching Ming or Qingming, meaning clear and bright, is the day for mourning the dead, a day for Chinese families to visit our ancestors graves. It falls in early April every year and corresponds with the onset of warmer weather, the start of spring, and of family outings. This is a one-day holiday in Hong Kong for the descendants to "sweep the graves" of their ancestors. It is not a solemn occasion, but rather, a time for happy communion with the family members to show respect to their ancestors.

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In ancient China, Qingming was by no means the only time when sacrifices were made to ancestors. In fact, such ceremonies were held very frequently, about every two weeks, in addition to other important holidays and festivals. The ceremonies were so elaborate and expensive that later in 732A.D., Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty declared that respects would be formally paid at the tombs of ancestors only on the day of Qingming in order to reduce the expenses. This is a custom that continues to this date.

Qingming is not just a day of remembrance, it is also a day to celebrate the coming of spring, often by going out for a picnic. With the coming of spring, nature wakes up, dressing the world with green grass. Everything is new, clean and fresh.