Pure Brightness Day is a time when Chinese people sweep the tombs of their ancestors in a display of filial piety.

But more modern lifestyles and a growing awareness about the need to protect the environment are transforming the way urbanites observe the special day.

One obvious change is that traditional sacrifices of paper money and candles are now giving way to the more expensive fresh flowers and pastries.

Chinese people have long believed that the dead live on and that their loved ones should bring gifts to burn to ward off a miserable after-life.

But the burning leads to air pollution, and more and more people are shunning the practice.

"When the gifts are burned, it fills the air with smoke and causes ashes to fly around which could potentially cause a fire," said Li Yonggui, a Beijing cab driver.

Li has prepared a bouquet of flowers and will head to Jinshan Tomb Garden in northwest Beijing today to express his affection for his father, who died of liver cancer three years ago.

Flowers are not the only gift. Many urbanites in cities like Beijing and Shanghai have planted pine trees on top of the tombs and water the trees every Pure Brightness Day.

The pine tree symbolizes youth and conveys the living's best wishes for the dead.

Gao Yueling, an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said a bleak cemetery or tomb garden can be beautified with such greenery and improve the air quality at the same time.

Those who can't get off work to visit the cemetery can pay their respects online.

Li Shixiang, marketing director of Beijing-based netor.com, an online memorial operator, said daily visits to the website hit 1.2 million Thursday and is expected to peak today.

The appeal of the Internet is that people can observe the deceased any time, anywhere.

They can also pick up virtual flowers and pastries, send a message or write a poem expressing their feelings about their loved ones.

Chinese civil affairs authorities say the Internet is a nice alternative to customs harmful to the environment.

The idea is so popular that in East China's Zhejiang Province, the local civil affair administration has set up a virtual memorial website.

The challenge is to get more rural people comfortable with turning to the Internet instead of harming the environment by burning paper gifts, officials said.

But others say the Internet is too impersonal.

"Without a personal tour of where your loved one is buried, how can you show your filial piety in a sincere way?" asked Li, the cab driver.

(China Daily April 5, 2002)