In Peking, 1939:
Lu Hsing Yuan (HY Lowe) described how the Ghost Festival was celebrated in Peking in one of his installments in the English language Peking Chronicle, published in 1939-1940.
His series was later compiled into book form in two volumes in 1940-41, republished in one volume in 1983.
The celebration then was quite elaborate, as described by Lu in volume 1, pages 235 to 239.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated by both the Taoist and Buddhist communities.
They believe that the gates of hell are open on the seventh month of the Lunar calendar, allowing spirits to leave the fires of hell and roam the earth.
The month-long festival is celebrated widely by these communities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.
LWH, 6 Sep 2025