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The fifteenth day of the seventh month in lunar calendar, the kingdom of heaven and hell opened its doors to permit the release of all spirits who want to take a vacation and leave the world of the living all his pain and suffering.

This ancient Chinese tradition is celebrated this year on 3 September, and if you travel to that country, you can be there to be part of this event and learn more about the details of an ancient culture.

The origin
It is said that this event has its roots in Buddhist Ullambana conclusion, with which is combined in certain dynasties. On the same date, then there is a day called Day of Rejoicing of Buddha, which remind monks Buddha and his disciples.

The spirits who wander in this day are those who have not received a proper burial, or who was not given the attention and deserved recognition before his death.

Tradition states that Mu Lian (also known as Maudgalyayana), a disciple of the Buddha monk, used his clairvoyance to discover that the ghost of her mother, because of their greed, remained locked up in the Kingdom of the Hungry Ghosts, thus prevented him from reincarnating.

Buddha was he who suggested that Mu Lian placed a plate of food and an empty seat, and through a ritual, invoking the ghosts so they can feed hungry. So her mother got Maudgalyayana was released to reincarnate into an animal.

This legend gave rise to one of the many rituals that result in the Zhongyuan Jie: Families place a plate of food on the table, leaving a vacant chair, to hungry ghosts that have gone to visit and eat together to them. This willingness, in turn, is considered good luck, bringing better yields and ward off evil spirits with harmful intent.
Feasts and shows

Not only families put a plate on the table: there are big events around the country, and especially entertaining feast dedicated to the spirits, and even musicals and plays in which the front rows are reserved for the ghosts to sit and enjoy the performance that some artists devote.

Nor can they miss the evening performances, since it is believed that the spirits that come out of Hell on time can not wander in the presence of sunlight.

During the day, the inhabitants remain guarded for fear of the various superstitions that abound on this festival. Some suggest that children can be possessed, so they are not allowed out at night. In addition, it is not allowed to swim for fear of the spirits that lurk in the waters. It is said that only the brave are close to the beaches at this time, challenging the latent danger of being dragged into the depths of dark forces.
Burning Offerings

Another curious ritual that usually occur in various parts of China in the context of this festival is that of burning paper offerings made in the form of coveted material goods such as houses, televisions, cars, and even special money to be used in spirit world. These representations will become real in this kingdom, so that will give comfort to the ghosts who live there.

While the concept is contradictory to a culture as superficial as spiritual, is related more to the way they see life after life, which often differ strongly in all faiths.
Lighted pathways

The Zhongyuan Jie has duration of 15 days. To conclude, the night of the last day, the streets will be illuminated by lamps of water for the spirits to find their way back into place.

In doing so, ends this strange festival and the next day, the streets are re-populated by living unafraid to walk back his way. These conclusions can you live if you travel to both China and to Hong Kong SAR or, if you’re already there.

In Cheung Chau, an island of Hong Kong, every year a festival is held very original: the Festival of the buns. Everything about the festival is part of its history: a dark age in which it was believed that the island was cursed. To cope with the curse, the inhabitants made several sacrifices and rituals and scaring the demons and ghosts.

In the memory of these rituals comes this event today has become one of the most important of all China. Discover an unusual event full of color and pastries.

In late May of each year, residents of Cheung Chau and many curious passengers in the streets of the city to enjoy this event so special.

The festival is held on the island of the same name, which historically was the hideout of dozens of pirates. The islanders, when asked, mentioning two origins for the festival: a report that is to placate the ghosts of the victims of pirates, while others say the festival commemorating the survival plague 200 years ago in the domains of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when Cheung Chau was devastated by a storm. This disaster was followed by a great plague that took the lives of many. Believing that the island was cursed, people began to practice ceremonies and sacrifices to appease the wrath of the gods. The festival is of extraordinary dimensions and coincides with the birthday of Buddha. For all this, it is a unique event of its kind and an ideal opportunity for travelers to discover the essence of Chinese traditions and beliefs more remote.

In celebration, which lasts seven days, you can see rituals, dances, taste traditional local dishes, listen to Chinese songs and have fun. At this time also loves to Pak Tai, the Taoist god of the Sea, with a ritual procession in a march to the music of gongs and drums, all accompanied by adults and children dressed in many colors.

During the first three days, the entire island becomes a vegetarian. Even fast-food outlets offer meat: the menu changes drastically for veggie burgers and even hot dogs vegetarians.

Cheung Chau is a community that depends almost entirely on the sea for their life, since fishing is the main activity. In addition, motorized boats are prohibited on the island. This means that the port is filled with small boats bobbing peacefully ancient oriental style … It is an ideal place to relax and also to celebrate.

The towers of buns
No doubt the main attraction of this festival is climbing so-called “towers of buns.” These are huge bamboo structures, filled with sweet pastries like fruit hanging from tall trees. The towers of buns are located in front of Pak Tai Temple, the god who is devoted to the festival, built in 1783.

There are several temples in Hong Kong that honor to this god, who according to legend, the prince of evil began to heaven. Of greater importance to the residents of Cheung Chau is however its role as an advocate before the pirates who had released a series of attacks against the island. According to the myths, the attacks ceased once the temple was built.

The towers are built with bamboo to a height of 18 meters and then are filled with sweet buns. Since all the buns are blessed, once people climbed the tower to get their buns, but in 1978 one of these towers collapsed causing hundreds of injuries, so that until recently was banned climbing. However from 2005 onwards were established some very strict rules and this activity was glad that both the people was restored.

Furthermore, if the festival has even more flavor, buns are distributed to those attending the festival for free after the closing ceremony. Of course you can also buy these cakes in local bakeries.

The climb to the towers of buns
It is a strange and fascinating tradition: the sound of the gong competition starts, where the twelve participating climbers must climb the tower of cakes and breads to collect as many as possible, the higher are the rolls are worth more points. Now: they have only three minutes to get there. For added security, now the tower is now metal and the contestants wear a harness.

Win the challenge the climber to collect more points. How do they do? Some say it is easier to collect as many buns as possible, while others prefer those that are higher than are those with the highest score … Competition is not just an amazing show to win the game is quite an honor. Tradition determines that the family belongs to which contestant will be very lucky during that year, as it will with the blessing of the god Pak Tai.

Other gods
The festival not only dedicated to Pak Tai. The second of the deities who participated in this event is the highly revered Goddess Hau, who is the protector of the seas, fishermen and their boats. This goddess is worshiped to provide warnings of impending storms and save the lives of fishermen, as many of the islanders live from fishing.

Two gods complete the heavenly altar involved in the great celebration: Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, and Hsing-the terrifying god of the south, who with his beard hideous face of horror to all his opponents.

You can see in different parts of the city temples and festivals dedicated to these gods, you can always enjoy free.

Aerial Dance
The week’s festivities culminate with spectacular processions in which smaller clothes and walk the streets dressed as mythological figures, held aloft by hidden bars that give the appearance of floating above the heads of the crowd.

This is how you will see a “flyover” of small figures dancing in the air. Parents consider it a great honor that their children are part of the parade, so usually the preparation of the costumes is time and dedication of each family.

A company of musicians accompanying the procession fascinating, beating gongs and drums to scare the ghosts of old pirates and their victims. The pilgrimage is led by a spectacular image of Pak Tai, who directs the imaginary battle against the spirits.