Dough figurines in the shape of swallows are made by students in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on April 1, marking the Hanshi Festival. Hanshi Festival (or Cold Food Day) is the day before the Qingming Festival (also named Tomb Sweeping Festival). On this day each year, no fire or smoke is allowed and people must eat cold food for the whole day. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Under the guidance of folk artists, the students learn to make the local dough "Hanyan" models using multiple techniques such as kneading, shaping, cutting the mouth, pressing, and stippling. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dough figurines in the shape of swallows are placed on artificial tree branches. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Hohhot student shows "swallows" he made himself. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]