On the morning of April 5, the Ceremony Honoring Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan in Qingming Festival of the Bingwu Year (2026), co-hosted by the People's Government of Shaanxi Province, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, was held at the Qiaoshan Sacrificial Square in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province.

Under the theme "Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation and Forging Ahead on the New Journey of Chinese-Style Modernization," this year’s ceremony followed the standard organizational protocols for the Qingming ancestral ritual. It comprised nine ceremonial procedures: striking drums and ringing bells; singing the "Ode to Yellow Emperor"; presenting flower baskets; delivering the memorial address; bowing three times; performing the ritual dance; the "Dragon Soaring Over China" ceremony; paying respects at Xuanyuan Hall and the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor; and planting Qiaoshan cypresses.

The scene of the public memorial ceremony. Photo by Chen Wei

Beating drums and ringing bells. Photo by Chen Wei

The public memorial ceremony officially began at 9:50 a.m.

The powerful drumbeats and distant bell tolls echoed through the square. The 34 drumbeats symbolize the common aspiration of the Chinese people from 34 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, the Taiwan region as well as overseas Chinese in revering the ancestor of the Chinese nation. The nine bell tolls represent the highest etiquette in traditional Chinese rituals, expressing the boundless admiration and gratitude of all Chinese people to Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, the ancestor of Chinese humanities.

Singing Ode to Yellow Emperor. Photo by Chen Wei

To expand participation, this year’s "China Online Ancestor Worship" platform has been upgraded again. Featuring 8K Ultra HD and VR panoramic views, the platform allows online tours of over 30 key scenic spots. Chinese people worldwide can gather virtually before Xuanyuan Hall. A new "Blessings on Ancient Trees" function has also been added, enabling netizens worldwide to hang virtual "Heart-to-Heart" — electronic blessing plaques — on a digital cypress tree, with wishes for the country and loved ones, allowing users to further understand the sacrificial culture of the Yellow Emperor Mausoleum through interactive participation.

China Online Ancestor Worship    

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