The photo shows debris left over from burned incense and candles in front of a finance bureauin Anyuan, East China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: web

Burning incense to pray for one's ancestors and blessings from the gods was a traditional custom in ancient China and still exists in some rural areas today. People usually take incense to temples or other holy places for prayer, but 

a finance bureau in Anyuan, East China's Jiangxi Province, has recently become a popular spot for residents to pray for wealth. 

A photo of debris left over from burned incense and candles in front of a finance bureau has been widely circulating on the internet. A government staff member on Tuesday said that some residents did come to the administration building late at night to pray for wealth.

The bureau issued a notice on Sunday banning public prayer activities and advised people to behave in a civilized way. "Be modern people, do civilized things," read the notice. 

A government staff member noted that the government will strengthen guidance for local residents and seek to stop the activities mainly through persuasion, since they have no authority to punish such acts. 

In some rural parts of China, people believe that burning incense in front of institutions related to finance, such as a bureau of finance or local banks, could bring the "God of Wealth" home and allow them to make money easier. The praying activities usually take place late at night or early in the morning so that other people can't see them.