MORE than 2.2 million people visited Shanghai’s cemeteries and columbariums on Qingming Festival yesterday to pay tribute to the deceased.

The total was down just over 11 percent compared to the same period last year, the city government said, with more residents choosing to visit on other days to avoid the crowds.

The festival, which is also known as tomb-sweeping day, is when Chinese people commemorate their loved ones by sweeping their tombs.