Don't be surprised if you see people placing incense sticks on snacks in the streets—it's almost time for 中元節 (Zhōng Yuán Jié), or the Hungry Ghost Festival!
The seventh month of the lunar calendar is called the Month of Ghosts. On the first day of this month, the Gate of Hell opens (鬼門開 Guǐmén kāi), allowing ghosts and spirits, also known as "good buddies" (好兄弟 hǎo xiōngdì), to return to the human world in search of food. On the 15th day, people prepare a feast (普渡 pǔdù) for them, praying for the well-being of both the living and the dead.
While the Pudu ritual is a highlight of Zhongyuanjie, Taiwan hosts many other fascinating events, like 放水燈 (fàng shuǐ dēng) and 搶孤 (qiǎnggū), which draw many tourists.
If you want to learn more about this rich cultural tradition, visit Taiwan or follow TCML for more insights!
