Qingdao for Tomb Sweeping Weekend

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  Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Sheng, China
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

On April fourth or fifth every year, the Chinese celebrate Tomb Sweeping Weekend, during which they burn paper money to help their ancestors in the afterlife.  Melody and Ludwig explained to Sam and me tonight that for people who have lost relatives in the last year, Tomb Sweeping Weekend is especially important.  We have Monday, April fourth and Tuesday, April fifth off from class so that students can travel home to honor their ancestors.  

Sam, Charles, and I have decided to take advantage of the four day weekend by taking a trip to Qingdao in Shandong province, which last year was named China's most livable city.  Qingdao was occupied by the Germans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and lots of the old German architecture still stands.  

In addition, our favorite Chinese beer, spelled "Tsingtao" under the old Wade-Giles system, is brewed in Qingdao.  We're not sure yet what we're going to do in the city, but we'd like to visit the Tsingtao Brewery.

The best part of our trip is that Matt and Tiffany are meeting us there.  Jiang Da still feels strange without them, and I can't wait to see them again.  Our little group of five will all stay in the same hostel, and we'll spend four days touring Qingdao.  

As a coastal city, Qingdao supposedly has nice beaches, and if the weather warms up in the next two weeks (lows are still in the 30s), maybe we can spend a day or half a day relaxing on the beach.
 

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