Wondering what to do to keep your Qingming Festival "clean" and "bright" in Beijing? Here's a few suggestions on enjoying the festival while learning more about it at the same time.

Shanxi Mianshan

Jie Zitui, one-time follower of Duke Wen of Jin, died for his principles in the Spring and Autumn Period. His admonition to his pupil king to be qing (clean, uncorrupted), and ming (brilliant) became the source of the holiday commemorating his death.

Mianshan Mountain, where Jie lived, is renowned for its naturally formed caves, palaces and plank passages embedded onto cliffs. Its numerous waterfalls never fail to appeal. The mountainous area is also perfect for hiking.

If you visit, try staying in a farmhouse, and remember to taste the traditional cold pastry and local noodles.

Ticket for entrance: 110 yuan

By Train: Take the train K603 (starts at 17:03) to Yuncheng or 1163 (starts 19:03) to Hancheng from Beijing West Railway Station, and get off at Jiexiu Station.

To Drive: Beijing-Datong Expressway on to Datong-Yuncheng Expressway, then exit at Lingshi.

Learn to make zi tui mo

The Fig Tree will show you how to make the traditional Qingming pastry zi tui mo or han yan, the ancient Chinese pastry among rural households in Shan'xi.

Though most people know Qingming as the day when everyone is expected to sweep their ancestors' graves, food like cold pastries have long been given as offerings.

In Shan'xi, rural families still make a pastry bearing the name of the local hero, Jie Zitui. At The Fig Tree on April 3 you will be shown how to mix the traditional Chinese dough, and shape it into various animal and whimsical figures that will be steamed, painted, baked and hung to dry.

Pastry Class at The Fig Tree

When: April 3

Where: Chaowai SOHO, Building A Unit 702, No 6B Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang district.

Cost: 250 yuan per family (1 to 3 people)

Contract: Register in advance by calling 139-1056-6742 or e-mailing erin@thefigtree.cn. Maximum eight families.

朝外大街乙6号朝外SOHOA座702

Outing for festival traditions

The Beijing Botanical Garden will host an event featuring Qingming culture and traditions, including a "Stories of Qingming" lecture, a feature gallery, seasonal plants and interactive willow-wreath making.

The annual Peach Blossom Festival will also help you relax in the open air and embrace natural aromatherapy all day long.

Peach Blossom Festival at the Beijing Botanical Garden

When: April 5 for Qingming; until May 8 for Peach Blossom Festival

Where: Wofosi Road, Haidian district,8865-3800.

Cost: 10 yuan

西三环中路玉渊潭

Others options include a wild vegetable banquet at Shengquanshan Mountain in Huairou District, on April 4 to 5; the Cherry Blossom Festival at Yuyuantan Park in Haidian district until April 28, and the display of magnolias at Beijing International Sculpture Park (get off at Yuquanlu subway station).

Li Ye