Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province -- a historic city boasting classical Chinese gardens -- has seen increasing number of tourists flocking to it amid the approaching of the traditional Qingming Festival holiday, which runs from April 4 to 6 this year.

Capitalizing on the rapidly developing tourism sector in the city, the local municipal authorities and business community have jointly launched 18 special spring touring routes to allow residents and tourists to enjoy the elegance of its early spring scenery while having a bite of the traditional sweet green rice ball snack as the Qingming Festival holiday draws near.
The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on Thursday this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival that pays tribute to the deceased and is a time for people to worship their ancestors and go outing.
The vast expanse of rapeseed flower fields in the city has lured both children and their teachers to come and visit, as it provides an excellent opportunity for them to get close to nature, allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
"We are taking our preschool children to this rapeseed flower field for an outing. They are very excited and happy," said Wang Yaping, a teacher from a kindergarten. 
In efforts to enrich the experience of tourists, the local government has also launched a slew of activities such as inviting bands to stage performances and letting tourists make traditional snacks, particularly the sweet green rice ball, themselves.
The sweet green rice ball is a traditional and seasonal snack with a history of over 1,000 years and is commonly consumed around the Qingming Festival.
Tourists can also enjoy local seasonal dishes at restaurants.
Several time-honored restaurants and eateries in downtown Suzhou have also witnessed a surge in consumers. At this particular pastry shop located on Guanqian Street, customers are lining up in long queues to buy local snacks, especially the sweet green rice ball snack.
"Currently, the most popular item is definitely the sweet green rice ball snack. Normally, we sell around 5,000 of them each day. With the Qingming Festival holiday  approaching, the sales are sure to double," said Chen Lei, general manager of Suzhou Huangtianyuan cake and pastry shop.
Suzhou's gardens are considered classic examples of Chinese landscape architecture. They were intended to be microcosms of the natural world, with rich scenes within limited spaces. Miniature versions of things like rocks and trees create epic-looking landscapes in the tightest of corners. There are currently 69 gardens preserved in Suzhou, with nine designated as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.