This year’s Qingming holiday falls on April 4 to 6 (Thursday to Saturday). Savvy netizens have already noticed that by taking just one or three extra days off, they can enjoy an extended break of four or even eight days. Current travel agency registration data also shows that many citizens are planning to take advantage of this eight-day holiday, leading to a continuous rise in the number of people signing up for outbound tours. Popular destinations include South Korea, Singapore & Malaysia, Thailand, and Southeast Asian islands. How can you piece together the perfect holiday for yourself?
Mauritius
Mauritius: Crystal-clear Waters, White Sandy Beaches & Deep-Sea Fishing
Mark Twain once said, “God first made Mauritius, then Heaven.” Viewed from the sky, the entire island of Mauritius looks like a jade-green emerald embedded in the azure Indian Ocean. Mauritius offers visa-on-arrival for Chinese tourists, so it's still possible to plan a Qingming trip even though it's already late March.
In this place of crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, engaging in a variety of water activities and getting up close with underwater life is a must. If you find diving or walking on the seabed too ordinary, try a glass-bottom boat ride to admire the coral reefs—it will give you a whole new perspective on sea adventures. The glass-bottom boats are specially designed with a large pane of glass set in the center of the hull. Thanks to the exceptionally clear greenish-blue waters of Mauritius, visitors can clearly see the various corals thriving beneath the surface.
Mauritius is also a paradise for deep-sea fishing. From November to April or May each year, a variety of big game fish swim close to within about one mile off the island in waters about 70 meters deep to hunt for food. During this time, visitors can rent fishing boats from their hotels and head out to sea. All boats are equipped with fishing gear and facilities, as well as advanced communication equipment to stay in touch with the shore and other fishing vessels. Some fishing packages also offer entertainment facilities such as restaurants, swimming pools, discos, and billiard tables.
Tips
Visa: Chinese citizens traveling to Mauritius for tourism can enjoy free visa-on-arrival. You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months, round-trip flight tickets, and a hotel reservation to apply.
Weather: Mauritius has a subtropical maritime climate. The most comfortable weather occurs from April to June and September to November—making these periods ideal for travel.
Cape Town: Grapes Ripen & Fine Wine Flows
While spring is still in full bloom in Guangdong, the southern hemisphere’s South Africa is entering its most pleasant autumn of the year. Cape Town, South Africa’s second-largest city, is famous for its grapes and is renowned worldwide for its wine-making techniques.
On the outskirts of Cape Town lies a scenic wine route dotted with vineyards stretching across the mountains. In the crisp autumn air, the mature vineyards form a sea of purple, exuding a naturally fresh and fragrant aroma.
In the world’s most beautiful and romantic wine valley, the Franschhoek Vine Valley, soak in the charm of a French-style town while sipping South African red wine and enjoying a variety of Western delicacies—it’s one of life’s most delightful experiences.
After tasting the fine wines, don’t miss the chance to get up close with wildlife. Cape Town is also home to a rich diversity of wild animals, including ostriches, penguins, Cape fur seals, seals, whales, and dolphins—each offering a fascinating encounter. Thousands of seals play joyfully in the waters of Seal Island, while the adorable and clumsy penguins on Penguin Island act like cheerful clowns, bringing endless laughter.
Tips
Accommodation: Cape Town offers a wide range of hotels at all levels, all with excellent facilities and service. Many five-star hotels feature a 19th-century British style, and their spacious atriums give guests a vintage feel.
Food: On the second floor of the train station and in the snack streets, you can try local specialties like grilled sausages, curry rice, and hamburgers. In the countryside, you’ll also find farm-produced homemade jams, canned goods, and other treats known as Farm Food—definitely worth a try.
Japan: Immerse Yourself in Japanese Poetic Charm
The cherry blossom season in Honshu, Japan, begins at the end of March, and the period around Qingming is when the blossoms are in full bloom. You can visit Honshu to tour multiple famous cherry blossom spots in one trip. At Osaka Castle Park, over 4,000 Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Oshima cherry trees turn the lush green hills crimson. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple—one of Kyoto’s three most famous sites with a history of over a thousand years and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—you can stroll hand-in-hand with loved ones along the cherry blossom-lined paths. Pass through the pink tunnel of cherry blossoms by Lake Kawaguchi in the Mount Fuji area and admire the reflection of the mountain and lake amid the pink blooms. Visit Ueno Park in Tokyo, mentioned in the writings of Lu Xun, Japan’s first public park, where thousands of cherry trees line the pathways in full bloom, radiating poetic Japanese charm.
In addition, this year’s cherry blossom itinerary introduces new highlights—head to Yokohama’s largest cherry blossom festival at Yamashita Pier’s Sea Paradise to enjoy both fun rides and blossoms, experiencing the latest Japanese trends. Visitors will take a retro train through a 500-meter-long cherry blossom avenue, view a breathtaking sea of 1,000 cherry trees, and even ride thrilling roller coasters for a “cloud-soaring” cherry blossom experience. Moreover, the park has specially set up a kimono experience area where you can dress in traditional attire and take photos under the cherry blossoms, creating beautiful memories.
Tips
Transportation: Fly from Guangzhou to Tokyo Narita Airport, a journey of about 5 hours. Then take a flight from Haneda Airport to Osaka, about 1.5 hours, and travel by car to Kyoto, Yokohama, Hakone, Mount Fuji, and other cherry blossom spots.
Food: Delicious traditional Japanese foods like sushi are widely available and authentic, with a rich variety of styles and flavors. Other local specialties include yakitori (grilled skewers), Japanese hot pot, Osaka’s famous crabs, unagi (eel) rice, takoyaki (octopus balls), as well as Kyoto’s kaiseki (multi-course) cuisine, imperial cuisine, and temple cuisine.