Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday sees 4.17 million tourists in Shanxi

North China's Shanxi province received 4.17 million tourists in the three day Tomb-Sweeping or Qingming festival, from April 4 to 6, from home and abroad, according to the province's Tourism Bureau on April 7.

This marked an increase of 15.45 percent compared to tourist volume over the same holiday last year, and a 15.32 percent increase in revenue, to 2.17 billion yuan ($349.21 million).

Independent travel and short-distance trips like tours to suburbs were the most popular, including hiking, flowers and fruits picking. Most tourists to the province’s scenic spots were from less than 200 kilometers away.

As in past holidays, the province's major scenic spots, such as the Ancient City of Pingyao, Mount Wutai, Yungang Grottoes and the Qiao Family Compound remain the most attractive destinations and received more than half of the province's visitors.

Some scenic spots held activities highlighting "Qingming" culture. A public memorial ceremony commemorated Jie Zitui-a famous hermit of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) and one of followers of Duke Wen of Jin. The memorial demonstrated traditional sacrificial customs and attracted many followers of traditional culture, including over 1,000 tourists from South Korea.