CHINA: “No horseplay!”

April in Beijing. The trees are just beginning to leaf out, light filters through the branches, blossoms are everywhere — everything feels so light and airy. But there's no enjoying it in peace, because the Chinese are celebrating Qingming, the tomb-sweeping festival. It's an official public holiday, and people get the day off work. It brings back memories from our last trip to China — the long queues — except this time they're even longer and louder. Coming down from the Great Wall, our taxi driver laughed: "Tell your friends not to come to China during the holidays."

Close-up of a traditional Chinese temple roof with ornate, colorful decorations, including dragons and floral designs, partly obscured by green trees.
People walking on the Great Wall of China, with trees blooming white flowers on the side, and mountains in the background.
Tree with thin branches and fresh green leaves against a blue sky, with a building with traditional Asian-style roof at the bottom of the image.
A man riding a yellow three-wheeled motorized vehicle carrying bags and belongings, on a city street with a blue bus in the background.
A street vendor wearing a traditional conical Asian hat and a red jacket, sitting on a motorized delivery cart with a motorcycle at the front, parked along a sidewalk with a green leafy background.
Blue and white sign with a no-horseplay symbol and Chinese characters, located near green bushes, with a background of a metal railing, trees, and buildings.
Pink magnolia flowers on tree branches with green leaves, against a bright sky.
A storefront display window showcasing handmade crafts, including a colorful fish-shaped lantern, various hanging ornaments, plush toys, and decorative accessories.
People walking through the entrance of a traditional Asian temple with Chinese characters on stone pillars and red lanterns hanging overhead.
A young person wearing traditional Asian attire, including a black hat with gold embellishments, a red robe with gold and white designs, and a wide belt, walking outdoors in a park with trees. They are carrying shopping bags.
A young boy with brown hair fishing off the edge of a boat, with an older man with tattoos sitting in the background on the boat, overlooking calm water with buildings and mountains in the distance.
Close-up of dense green shamrock plants with rounded leaves.

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