Celebrated over 9 days in October, this Chinese festival dictates a strict vegetarian diet and period of abstinence whilst locals pray to the Nine Emperor Gods. Dressed in white, it is a time for the purification of both body and mind, and a time to display impressive feats to the Gods. These include severe body mutilation acts – by way of facial piercings using knives and swords – and group fire walking. Large parades of people dressed in white roam the streets, with some members taking a shamen trance state, dancing and performing in front of the gathered crowds. All the while, there is a wonderful selection of vegetarian food on offer, making this a real treat for non meat eaters!