For the whole seventh lunar (25 July 2006 to 24 August 2006), the Chinese believe that the gates of Hades will open and departed souls will return to the human world for reunions to seek salvation.
During this period, one sees that shelters are set up in fields, town centres and places with high Chinese population. And some have stages for Chinese Operas to entertain both humans and ghosts.
On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as an act of filial piety.
