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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.