Some of the prettiest parks around Shanghai are rarely used but for two events a year: Memorial Day and QingMing (Tomb Sweeping) Festival. This is one of them.

A cemetery located in the Qingpu District (which I found to be a beautiful, quickly developing part of Shanghai) just on the edge of that district. And far away from any significant population. Why? Because many Chinese, especially the older generation, are dreadfully afraid of the dead.

Which is really a pity that a park like this is only visited either when someone dies, or during those two specific holidays.

The entrance is vast, open, clean, and meticulously maintained where you are greeted by a large stone Buddha, a kneeling alter to pray and offer gifts your relatives in the afterlife. The land is vast and expertly manicured with lush green grasses, trees and bushes.

There are benches, tables and chairs, stone paths, lots of shade trees, nicely trimmed hedges, with water streams and ponds to take in. It’s a very beautiful, calming and relaxing place to spend a beautiful summer’s day in.

But…then there’s the headstones.

Cremation is the norm in China. Much of it due to general historical tradition. But also due to space and that no one wants a cemetery in their ‘back-yard’ (NIMBY). Thus making it hard to find land for these parks, but also the reason the headstone and plots are so close together. The ashes themselves are not buried, but places in stone urns in front of the headstones – often representing husband and wife, with small bushes placed between them.

My wife is one of those who fear the dead. She will not go to a cemetery at night, during rain, early or late in the day. And after visiting one, makes a point to randomly wind her way home to thwart the efforts of spirits who may try to follow her.

Needless to say, save for the security guard, we were the only living people there. And our visit this day was very brief as we asked the guard for the location of a specific headstone, laid flowers, said a little prayer, and then literally scampered out of there – just enough time for me to take these photos.

Sad that such a beautiful place is really only experienced by the living twice a year.