10 traditional customs of China's Qingming Festival, as drawn by AI

Outdoors: Qingming also marks the arrival of spring – a great time for hiking, outdoor activities, and embracing all that nature has to offer. /Qiyuai.net

Breaking willow bark: Few things are more representative of spring than the sight of willow bark flowing in a gentle breeze. Breaking and collecting them has been a Qingming tradition that goes back to the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. Some people believe they offer protection against misfortunes. /Qiyuai.net

Planting trees: As the temperature warms, increasing precipitation creates ideal conditions for the growth of vegetation. It's hard to find a better time to plant trees than during the Qingming Festival. /Qiyuai.net

Eating Qingtuan: Qingtuan is a green, glutinous rice ball with sweet filling popular in south China. Its vibrant color comes from juice extracted from wormwood. Eating Qingtuan during Qingming Festival is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and it has become a cherished tradition for over a thousand years. /Qiyuai.net

Eating eggs: The practice of eating eggs during Qingming Festival can be traced back to ancient times when it was believed that offering eggs to deceased ancestors would bring them blessings and protection in the afterlife. /Qiyuai.net

Tug of war: During Qingming Festival, communities come together to participate in various outdoor activities, including tug of war, as a way to celebrate the arrival of spring, strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of solidarity among the participants. /Qiyuai.net

Swinging: Swinging represents the joy and freedom associated with the arrival of spring, as well as the renewal of life and nature. People believe it is an exercise fit for both adults and children to help strengthen their body and mind. /Qiyuai.net

Cuju: Cuju is a traditional Chinese sport similar to soccer. It is played during Qingming Festival as a way to commemorate the holiday with physical activity and social bonding. It is also one of the oldest forms of football worldwide, dating back to ancient times. /Qiyuai.net

Flying kites: The origins of kite flying during Qingming Festival date back over 2,000 years to the Eastern Han Dynasty. Flying kites during Qingming Festival is a cherished tradition that celebrates the changing seasons and fosters a sense of joy, unity and cultural heritage. /Qiyuai.net