Older people drive tourism during Qingming holiday

Flower viewing, hiking and short-distance tours trended during the Qingming Festival holiday, with older people showing stronger interest in traveling, according to tourism companies.

Chinese people visit their ancestors' tombs and make ritual offerings to mark the festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, which fell on Friday this year. During the three-day holiday, which ended on Sunday, a large number of people chose to enjoy spring scenery and indulge in various outdoor activities.

"I visited Beijing for the first time, and with my three good friends. We went to the Summer Palace, where the flowers are in full bloom, and took many photos," said Liu Cuiping, 58, from Xi'an, Shaanxi province.