How Qingming changes from solar terms to festivals

Tomb-Sweeping Day was originally just the name of a solar term. In the course of historical development, the Cold Food Festival and Shangsi Festival, which have similar dates, have gradually merged into today's Tomb-Sweeping Day.

The Cold Food Festival is just one or two days before Tomb-Sweeping Day, and it is customary to ban fire for three days, so related activities will last until Tomb-Sweeping Day. Over time, people no longer distinguish between cold food and Qingming.

Chongqing people also have the custom of eating cold food in Tomb-Sweeping Day. In the past, when people visited the grave, the "clear dishes" were often pot helmets with braised dishes and cold dishes. The "He Cai" sandwiched in this pot helmet is made of vermicelli, shredded lettuce, shredded pork and spring buds. Sweeping graves is generally in the suburbs, which is equivalent to a spring outing. A large family will also bring cold noodles, tables, candy and other foods to pay homage to their ancestors and eat them together.