[Photo: File photo]

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Tomb-sweeping (Chinese: 清明), the 5th solar term, starts this year on Apr 4 and ends on Apr 19.

Of all the 24 solar terms, Tomb-sweeping is the only one whose first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day. The words "clear" and "bright" describe the weather during this period. Temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, making it a crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring.