Qingming, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival during which families clean and leave offerings on the graves of deceased relatives. Last year, in-person gatherings over the holiday were stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic, but in 2021, families finally got the long-awaited chance to pay tribute to their loved ones at Qingming Festival.

Deputy director of Beijing Babaoshan Renmin Cemetery Meng Xiangang said the number of people coming to this site has increased largely compared with last year.

"We've lifted restrictions on the volume of people. Last year, around 3,000 people came here during the Qingming Holiday. This year, it is three times that number at around 9,000," he said.

Meng says this number is based on appointments made in advance. He said all visitors need to make an appointment by phone or online. They need to book not only the date, but the specific hour for tomb sweeping, in order to avoid too many people being there at once, even if the epidemic is largely under control in China. Other epidemic prevention measures are also in effect.

"People need to show their green health code before they can enter. We also undertake thorough disinfection every two hours… hand sanitizer stations can be found here and there. All our staff have to wear masks and gloves while working, to prevent any possibility of virus transmission," Meng said.

Many of those at Babaoshan this year came with mixed feelings.

"I asked staff to take care of the sweeping in my stead last year. I'm thankful I could come in person this year," a person who came to sweep tombs for his deceased parents said.

"It's been two years since I came here. I really missed my parents."

Going to the cemetery for tomb sweeping enables family members to enhance their bonds and to get closer with their loved ones. Plus, such activity is also a sign that life is slowly getting back to normal here in China.