Tomb Sweeping Day is approaching. With the low-carbon concept having been promoted in recent years, more and more citizens are choosing "civilized sacrificial offerings" to celebrate their Chinese traditional festival. It was reported that paper offerings sales have been dropping year by year, while fresh flowers have been increasing in popularity.

A side road near the Jiuqu River Arch on Yuelai Road is known as "The Incense Street." On Tuesday morning, many middle-aged women were buying paper offerings there.

"Most of them are elderly people and repeat customers. Young people don't like paper offerings," one of the shopkeepers said. "They (young people) advocate environmental protection," a customer added.

The changing sacrificial modes lead to an intensive rise in price of fresh flowers in Tomb Sweeping Day holidays in recent years. Flowers used for sacrificial offering events are doubled in price this year at some markets in urban areas.

"Simple bunches of flowers can no longer meet the needs of young people, due to their changing life style," a florist said, adding that designed and decorated flower baskets and bouquets can be sold at a much higher price, and they are much more popular among young customers.