Citizens pour in to cemeteries during Qingming Festival

Yellow ribbons adorn a Harbin cemetery, commemorating those who have passed away. [Photo/MY399.COM]

Around 168,000 Harbin citizens visited cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives during the three-day holiday for Qingming Festival -- still significant numbers, but a year-on-year decrease of 3 percent.

In the wake of their increased awareness about environmental protection, more and more citizens chose flowers, music, cards and yellow ribbons rather than burning paper money to commemorate the family members who have passed away.

Qingming Day, also known as Tomb-sweeping Day, is the most important occasion for Chinese to honor their ancestors. People usually pay respects to their ancestors and departed family members by setting symbolic objects alight.