https://www.facebook.com/travellerni/ During the seventh lunar month, Keelung is host to Taiwan's most renowned Ghost Festival, a fascinating mix of Taoist and Buddhist beliefs and rituals. The festival lasts the entire month (usually August or September), and each year a different Keelung clan is chosen to sponsor the events. Highlights include folk-art performances, the opening of the Gates of Hell and the release of burning water lanterns. Keelung's festival began in the mid-19th century as a way to bridge the rift between feuding groups of Hoklo immigrants. However, the belief in ghost month is widespread in Chinese culture. According to popular beliefs, during this month 'hungry spirits' (or 'good brethren' as they are also called) roam the earth and must be appeased and sated with elaborate banquets, festivities and a whole lot of ghost paper burning (asthmatics should seriously be very careful around this time). The main events are as follows: Day 1 The Gates of Hell are opened at noon at Laodagong Temple, west of Keelung Harbour. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MULzrQsc1Y