Harbin is such a modern place in so many ways that the reminders that this was not such a modern place not so long ago can come as quite a surprise. In this instance, people are burning jīnzhǐ or ghost money at a major intersection - on the corner, thank goodness! - so that their dead relatives can afford to buy things in the afterlife. (Very pharaonic, no?) I'm told some people will even burn paper cell phones, cars, and whatever else they think their relatives are in need of. Such a fascinating meeting of ancient and modern China!
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