People in Yichang, Central China's Hubei Province, burn ceremonial items made of paper such as fake dollars, courtyard homes, mahjong sets and liquor, in sacrifice to their ancestors on March 21 ahead of Qingming Festival, which falls on Monday. Photos: CFP

Photos: CFP

 

Photos: CFP

 

Photos: CFP

Chinese are currently the world's top consumers of luxury goods. Even in the afterlife, apparently.

Traditionally, Tomb-Sweeping Festival, or Qingming, which this year falls on Monday, is marked by the burning of ceremonial banknotes and incense to ensure that deceased ancestors live the good life in the afterlife. 

But now fashion and filial piety go hand in hand; Paper replicas of everything from iPhones to gourmet foods and bank cards to gold bars are torched to appease the heavens - while also reflecting China's earthly consumer trends.

According to vendors, among this year's hottest sellers are complete sets of sacrificial items to burn with names like "the prosperity package," and include IDs, air tickets and property deeds.

The paper packages start at 15 yuan ($2.3), while paper money usually costs 5 to 10 yuan a bundle.

And instead of the conventional offerings of fruits, cigarettes, alcohol and home-cooked meals, Chinese are instead burning paper-replicas of imported delicacies such as abalone tuna.

Many feel it's about time their deceased relatives got a taste of the good life.

"They show our ancestors how society has changed," said a man surnamed Hu while shopping for Qingming items in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province.

"They have never enjoyed it before. It's time for them to try and have fun," he added.

Modern Gold Express