The Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms like the fifth, called Clear and Bright – falls on April 4-19 this year – the only one to coincide with a fine Chinese tradition: Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day.
In the Jingtai Road sub-district – in the Hailing district of Taizhou city in East China's Jiangsu province – residents are embracing the essence of tradition by marking the arrival of the Qingming Festival with a special activity to make qingtuan, or round green cakes.
They're a beloved snack in the region, particularly in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The cake not only satisfies the palate but also carries deep cultural symbolism – expressing sentiments of longing for loved ones who have passed away and gratitude towards those who have contributed to society.
Under the guidance of instructors, participants in the cake event are not only learning how to make qingtuan.
They're are also immersing themselves in the spirit of spring, reminiscing about Qingming traditions and experiencing the joy of coming together to celebrate cultural heritage.
Participants try their hand at making qingtuan. [Photo/Hailing Industrial Park via WeChat gh_4df9b5f9b40b]