When talking about tomb-sweeping festival, people of some history knowledge will think of a historical character Jie Zitui. Legend has it that more than two thousand years ago, in the Spring and Autumn period, ChongEr was exiled and he lead a hard life. JieZitui, who followed him all the way, carved a piece of fresh from himself to allay his hunger. Later, ChongEr returned to kingdom Jin and became the lord. He prized his followers. However, Jie declined his invitation, preferring to lead a hermit's life with his mother in the mountains.
Chong had no better policy but to set fire on the mountain. He thought for sure that Jie would take his mother out because he was fealty. To his consternation, Jie was burnt to death with his mother. To commemorate Jie, the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jie's death. Thus began the "cold food feast", a day when no food could be cooked since no fire could be lit.
The "cold food" festival occurs on the eve of tomb-sweeping festival and the ancients just lasted it to tomb-sweeping festival. As time passes, people incorporated the two into one festival. And now the tomb-sweeping festival has replaced the "cold food" festival. And the practice of pay respects to Jie is changed into visit the ancestor’s grave.