More young people like Ma, Huang and Zhang are joining the trend. They embark on journeys with diverse motives, sharing their experiences on social media and fostering new connections.

While admiring and remembering the brilliant ancient figures, visitors also tend to leave personal puzzles, stories and wishes at the tombs. Their messages often unexpectedly resonate with other visitors, connecting and enlightening one another.

Zhang Zhuo, an assistant researcher from the Institute of Journalism at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, points out that from a psychological perspective, this ancient tomb tourism trend reflects the sociological theory of "symbolic interactionism", a theory developed by American sociologists George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer.

The researcher explains that the tradition of tomb-sweeping and the tributes that young people offer to ancient ancestors are symbolic expressions of culture and life transmitted across time. Such a trend redefines tradition and transforms historical figures from flat symbols into peers with whom they can engage in equal dialogue. In this process, they achieve a two-way symbolic social interaction and exchange.

"Young visitors project their emotions onto this tangible ritual of interaction and gain a sense of emotional resonance. They express empathy and remembrance for historical figures, release real-life emotions and pressures, fulfill their social needs, and pursue a better self-understanding," says Zhang Zhuo.

She adds that such interactions are also new, personalized expressions of patriotism and identity, as well as an innovative form of inheritance of the nation's history, tradition, culture, and values. This booming trend also offers inspiration and opportunity to bring the younger generation closer to history and traditional culture.

And young visitors are always moving forward, visiting the ancient tombs, forging connections across centuries, and finding their true selves.