During any visit to China, if you walk the streets of an evening you're almost sure to see people making small bonfires by the side of the road. They are burning paper money to honour their deceased.

It happens on a daily basis almost everywhere but the burning money ritual maybe peaks at Spring Festival and the eve of the new Lunar New Year.

Outside my apartment building is a large crossroads. Despite it's size the traffic is very light but nevertheless, still dangerous. On the eve of Spring Festival whilst peering out and watching the fireworks I noticed an ever-increasing number of small bonfires being lit by people. Single people, couples, family groups of up to five all coming, burning and then leaving. At 7.30 p.m. there were almost 100 'pyromaniacs'.

I was wondering to myself if they come here to this particular spot because this is where their loved ones perished. It would have made sense but I thought it best to call a friend.

The idea of honouring your ancestors at a large crossroad junction is that it offers more ways for your onward journey during the afterlife. I think my translation is about right.

For a few minutes I wondered if this family, pictured below, were looking to join their ancestors: lighting fires in the very middle of the road is not exactly what I'd call a clever thing to do!