Tomb-Sweeping Festival is not only a time to honor ancestors but also an ideal period for spring outings. As the short holiday approaches, busy office workers are starting to get restless. Due to the unique timing of this year’s Tomb-Sweeping break compared to previous years, the trend of “fake leave travel”—extending the short holiday by using annual leave—is gradually gaining traction in some areas.
However, recent reports from on-site visits by journalists reveal that the “fake leave travel” phenomenon is not as common. Short-distance trips and self-drive tours remain the main choices for Tomb-Sweeping travel this year. But with frequent spring rains and crowded holiday travel, risks are heightened. Industry insiders advise extra caution regardless of whether you opt for long, short, or self-drive trips.
“Fake leave travel” can extend holidays up to 10 days
Mr. Wang, who recently got married, plans to take his wife on a honeymoon to Southeast Asia during the Tomb-Sweeping break. Working in a government office, he and his wife applied for two days of annual leave. “This gives us a total of seven days for an overseas trip.” This year’s official Tomb-Sweeping holiday runs from April 2 to 4, totaling three days. A popular online “fake leave guide” suggests: taking two annual leave days on March 31 and April 1 to extend the three-day break into a five-day holiday; or taking leave on April 5 and 6 to create a seven-day holiday with the three-day Tomb-Sweeping break and a weekend (April 7–8); or even taking five annual leave days on March 30, 31, April 1, 5, and 6 to combine with the holiday and weekend for a full ten-day break from March 30 to April 8.
However, “fake leave travel” isn’t very popular. Recently, inquiries with multiple travel agencies showed that few people are choosing long-distance trips during Tomb-Sweeping. A manager at a travel agency branch reported that the fake leave trend hasn’t caused much of a stir in the tourism market, with little fluctuation in long-haul travel bookings.
Short trips and self-drive tours are favored
With changing travel preferences, many are ditching group tours in favor of self-drive adventures. “Driving the family out to admire flowers, and maybe picking seasonal fruit on the way back, is much freer and more enjoyable than joining a tour group,” said Mr. Zhang, who plans to visit Yangzhou with his family during the holiday. A travel agency representative noted that more people are choosing self-drive tours, “Most only have a three-day break and prefer driving to nearby attractions themselves.”
However, with oil prices topping 8 yuan per liter, some who had planned self-drive trips have switched to joining short tour groups. Xiao Peng, an employee at a company, shared that he had intended to visit Hangzhou’s Taiziwan to see tulips during Tomb-Sweeping, but rising fuel costs and his own limited driving skills led him to opt for a group trip with colleagues instead. It’s reported that travel agencies in Cixi are mainly promoting short trips such as flower viewing, fruit picking, ancient town tours, and temple blessings, attracting plenty of inquiries and bookings.
Keep safety in mind during the holiday
With frequent spring rains and crowded travel periods, various factors increase the risks of travel. Industry insiders suggest taking extra precautions during this time, and choosing suitable insurance based on your mode of transport—both driver and vehicle should be insured for self-drive trips.
It’s been found that long-distance bus tickets now include basic insurance. “But for higher protection, it’s advisable to purchase additional commercial insurance,” a commercial insurer explained. Currently, many insurers offer specialized policies covering accidents on planes, trains, subways, light rail, and commercial vehicles, typically with one-year coverage. This is more convenient for frequent travelers than buying insurance ad hoc.
He also recommends that those opting for self-drive travel pay extra attention to insurance, as many car owners don’t insure their passengers, which increases risk exposure. Specialized self-drive insurance can fill this gap. Additionally, don’t forget a thorough vehicle check before hitting the road. “With more rain during Tomb-Sweeping, road conditions may be poor, so prep work is essential—check fuel levels, spare tires, and the condition of engine oil and antifreeze. Also, drivers should have their insurer’s emergency hotline handy for quick assistance in case of incidents.”