Shinto (path leading to tombs), a scenic spot of the Ming Tombs. (File photo)
(ECNS) -- The emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) is long gone, but those who share the same family name still enjoy some privileges.
Visitors whose family name is Zhu are eligible for a free trip to the Ming Tombs in Beijing's suburban Changping District during the upcoming Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday.
The Ming Dynasty was founded by the peasant rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, known posthumously as Emperor Taizu. The majority of the Ming tombs are located in a cluster near Beijing and collectively known as the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty.
If any member of a tourist group has the family name Zhu, the entire group is exempt from paying for tickets normally priced at 165 yuan ($25) to access four scenic areas, namely Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb, Zhaoling Tomb, and Shinto (path leading to tombs), according to the administration of the tomb complex.
An official said that offering sacrifices to ancestors on Tomb-Sweeping Day is an important event at the Ming Tombs. A grand ceremony to reenact royal Ming Dynasty rituals and to pray for happiness will be held twice a day during the three-day holiday from April 2 to 4.
Tomb Sweeping Day, or Qing Ming Festival, is a yearly celebration when people remember their ancestors.
