Memorial ceremony to ancestor of the Chinese nation

A public memorial ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006. Tens of thousands of Chinese from home and abroad gather at the mausoleum on Wednesday, Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Festival, to worship the Yellow Emperor. According to historical records, the Yellow Emperor unified tribes along the Yellow River Valley 5,000 years ago. He was considered founder of the Chinese nation and culture. Located on the Qiaoshan Hill in Huangling County, the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is a popular place for people of Chinese origin from various parts of the world to worship their ancestors. The tomb-sweeping festival is a traditional day for Chinese to pay homage to their ancestors and sweep their graves.

A public memorial ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006. Tens of thousands of Chinese from home and abroad gather at the mausoleum on Wednesday, Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Festival, to worship the Yellow Emperor.

People strike a bell during a public memorial ceremony at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006. Tens of thousands of Chinese from home and abroad gather at the mausoleum on Wednesday, Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Festival, to worship the Yellow Emperor.

A group of Taiwan compatriots come to pay homage to Huangdi during a public memorial ceremony at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006. Tens of thousands of Chinese from home and abroad gather at the mausoleum on Wednesday, Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Festival, to worship the Yellow Emperor.

A man beats a drum during a public memorial ceremony at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006.

A public memorial ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Huangling County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 5, 2006.