Scenic spots across China have seen an influx of tourists during the ongoing Qingming Festival holiday, attracted by breathtaking spring scenery and a variety of entertainment activities.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or the Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday from Saturday to Monday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
In Beijing, flowers are in full bloom in many parks, drawing large crowds of visitors to capture the beauty on camera.
“The flowers are now in full bloom and this is one of the most beautiful seasons in Beijing. The weather is lovely, and it’s a holiday. I’m in a great mood spending time with my family, and my child is also very happy,” said Zheng, a visitor.
In Luanping County, north China’s Hebei Province, the magnificent Jinshanling section of the Great Wall and apricot blossoms dotting the surrounding mountains create a stunning, picturesque scene, attracting many tourists to enjoy the breathtaking view.
In Nanchang, large expanses of blooming cherry blossoms have also drawn many visitors to the Jiangxi Academy of Forestry.
The academy has planted multiple varieties of cherry blossoms, allowing visitors not only to enjoy a spring outing and admire the flowers, but also learn about plant science.
“A large stretch of cherry blossoms has bloomed along the lake. When the wind blows, the cherry blossoms flutter down like snow. It’s incredibly romantic,” said Xiao Yuxin, a tourist.
During the holiday, the Bashan Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Dazhou, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, has designed a series of fun and immersive experience activities, allowing tourists to fully engage with the local culture and customs.
Spring scenery, fun activities draw crowds to scenic spots in China during Qingming Festival holiday
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post on Sunday that he had exchanged views with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
In the phone call, Araghchi noted that the United States and Israel have been attacking Iran’s industrial infrastructure, hospitals, schools, residential areas, and nuclear facilities, emphasizing the need for urgent action by relevant international institutions, especially the International Atomic Energy Agency, to condemn these attacks and hold the aggressors accountable.
Araghchi also referred to the U.S. threats to attack Iranian energy facilities, saying this rhetoric is a clear admission of committing war crimes.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Sunday that the two ministers stressed that “reckless and illegal attacks” on Iran’s civilian, industrial and energy facilities, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, must be halted.
They warned that such actions pose a threat to the plant workers’ lives and health and could lead to a radioactive disaster affecting the broader region.
The ministers spoke out against any actions that could undermine the remaining chances for promoting political and diplomatic efforts to settle the crisis.
Lavrov expressed the hope that efforts by certain countries to de-escalate the tensions around Iran would succeed, adding that the United States’ abandoning the language of ultimatums and returning to negotiations would be instrumental.
Iran’s FM discusses ongoing war with Russian counterpart over phone
