Ecological burials to reach 30 pct

Ecological burials will make up 30 percent of all Beijing burials by the end of this year and is expected to reach 50 percent by 2020, according to the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau at its news briefing on Tomb-Sweeping Festival on Thursday, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Last year, 1,700 people chose sea burials for their deceased, an increase from 1,200 in 2013. Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau revealed that last year three illegal memorial parks in Changping, Tongzhou and Mentougou districts were shut down.

It's estimated that 3.5 million people will visit graves in Beijing for Tomb-Sweeping Festival, a 5 percent increase compared to last year. Peak visiting days are March 28 and 29 and April 4, 5, and 6.