The recent Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, was commemorated over a three day public holiday.

Held during early April, for cities such as Beijing, it is also a time when the arrival of spring can bring considerable beauty to the city. This is why the holiday is referred to as a time of "pure brightness". Qingming Festival provides an opportunity to become reacquainted with the capital's charms.

With blossoms still on many trees, parks have been a popular destination during this holiday. Beijing has a unique legacy of beautiful royal landscaped gardens which are home to some fine examples of Ming Dynasty architecture.

Jingshan Park has become a must-visit due to the stunning views of the Forbidden City that can be seen from the 1751 constructed Wanchun Pavilion. It sits a top a manmade hill located directly above Beijing's historic axis line. To the south, the city stretches beyond the Palace's distinctive yellow-tiled rooftops.

Within the park, on the north side of the manmade hill, is an extensive area of renovated buildings known as Shouhuang Hall (Hall of Imperial Longevity). Shouhuang Hall is a place where emperors from the Qing dynasty could pay respects to their ancestors.

From walking through a hutong within the former Imperial City to the crimson walls of former temples creating excellent backdrops for the spring blossoms, Beijing's historic areas hold many delightful contrasts to visit. In fact, no matter how many times one visits Qianmen area, the grand towers of Jianlou and Zhengyangmen are always admirable.

A walk from Qianmen leads to the restored Sanlihe River, parkland amidst Old Beijing that today is increasingly popular because of its beauty and sense of peace.

The capital has a long history that has left us with a unique heritage. Beijing is a city, no matter what the season, that can offer something interesting to admire, to photograph and to appreciate.