Ghosts from Around the World: Three Spooky Legends Behind My Bubba and Squirt Adventures

Have you ever wondered if ghosts might be hiding in ancient palaces, wandering through jungle-covered ruins, or lingering beneath the streets of a bustling European city? Around the world, people have shared mysterious stories of spirits who refuse to disappear into the past. Some legends are centuries old, while others are connected to places that travelers can still visit today.

As a children’s author, I love exploring the history, legends, and mysteries that make real-world locations so fascinating. Three of my middle-grade adventure books in the Bubba and Squirt series take readers to places with intriguing ghost stories: China, the ancient Maya city of Xunantunich in Belize, and the famous catacombs of Paris.

So, turn down the lights, grab a flashlight, and join me on a spooky journey around the world!

1. China: The Ghost of Empress Dowager Cixi

Imagine walking down a hotel hallway late at night when you spot a woman dressed in elegant imperial clothing. You blink, and suddenly she disappears. Would you investigate—or head straight for the nearest exit?

According to a reported ghost legend, something like this has happened at the Yun Shan Fan Dian Hotel in Chengde, China. The mysterious figure is said to be none other than Empress Dowager Cixi, one of the most powerful women in Chinese history.

Cixi lived from 1835 to 1908 and became a dominant political figure during the Qing Dynasty. She rose from the position of an imperial concubine to become Empress Dowager and exercised considerable influence over the Chinese government for decades. Her life unfolded during a turbulent period in China's history, making her a fascinating and controversial historical figure.

But what about the ghost?

According to the legend, Cixi's spirit has been seen wearing traditional imperial clothing near the end of a hallway on the hotel's eighth floor. Some versions of the story suggest that she continues to watch over gardens associated with her former imperial surroundings.

Why would an empress return to a hotel corridor? Perhaps she is keeping an eye on something she once cherished. Or perhaps the story has grown more mysterious with every retelling!

It's worth noting that the haunting is a reported legend, not a verified historical event, and the available accounts offer limited evidence of a connection between Cixi and the hotel itself.

The connection to my book: In Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China, readers travel to China with two adventurous kids who discover the excitement of exploring another culture and its history. Stories like the legend of Empress Dowager Cixi remind us that a destination can hold mysteries far beyond what we see on the surface.

2. Belize: The Stone Woman of Xunantunich

Now let's travel to Central America, where towering Maya temples rise above the tropical forests of Belize.

One of the country's remarkable archaeological sites is Xunantunich, located near the Mopan River in western Belize. Its name is commonly translated as “Stone Woman” or “Maiden of the Rock.” The site is best known for El Castillo, an impressive pyramid that rises above the surrounding landscape.

But the ruins are famous for more than their ancient architecture. They are also associated with a chilling local legend.

The mysterious woman in white

According to the story, a ghostly woman dressed entirely in white has been seen near El Castillo. Her eyes are sometimes described as glowing red, adding an especially eerie detail to the tale.

Witnesses in the legend describe the woman appearing near the pyramid, climbing its stone steps, and then vanishing into the structure as mysteriously as she appeared.

Who is she? Why does she haunt the ruins? And what could connect her to this ancient city?

Those questions are part of what makes the legend so compelling. The story has been passed along as local ghost lore, but the identity of the woman and the reported sightings have not been established as historical facts.

The setting certainly provides plenty of atmosphere for a ghost story. Imagine standing among enormous stone structures surrounded by lush green vegetation, listening to the sounds of the jungle as the light begins to fade. It's easy to understand why a mysterious figure appearing among the ruins would capture people's imaginations.

The real history of Xunantunich is fascinating, too. The site flourished during the Maya Classic Period, and its temples and plazas offer clues about the people who lived, worked, worshipped, and governed there centuries ago.

The connection to my book

In Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure, Bubba and Squirt explore the world of the ancient Maya. The Stone Woman legend offers another intriguing way to spark curiosity about Belize, Maya history, archaeology, and the stories people tell about ancient places.

For young readers, it's a wonderful reminder that exploring the past can lead to questions that don't always have easy answers!

3. France: Ghost Stories from the Catacombs of Paris

Our final stop takes us beneath one of the world's most famous cities.

Paris is known for its romantic streets, beautiful architecture, museums, and cafés. But far below the city lies a very different world: the Catacombs of Paris, an underground ossuary containing the remains of millions of people.

The history of the catacombs is as fascinating as any ghost story.

During the late eighteenth century, overcrowded Parisian cemeteries created serious public health concerns. Beginning in 1785, authorities transferred human remains into former limestone quarries beneath the city. The underground ossuary was consecrated in 1786, and the site opened to visitors by appointment in 1809.

Today, visitors can explore a designated route through the underground galleries, where walls of carefully arranged bones and skulls create an unforgettable sight.

But a place like this was bound to inspire tales of the supernatural.

Whispers in the darkness

Over the years, stories have circulated about strange sounds, unexplained sensations, and ghostly apparitions in the underground tunnels. Some tales describe visitors feeling that they are being watched, while others speak of mysterious figures appearing in the darkness.

The enormous network of old quarries beneath Paris adds to the atmosphere. Not every tunnel is part of the public attraction, and the inaccessible passages have helped fuel stories about hidden chambers, secret routes, and unexplained encounters.

Of course, reports of paranormal activity remain unverified. The catacombs' documented history is remarkable enough without needing to prove the existence of ghosts.

Still, imagine walking through a dimly lit passageway lined with human bones. The air is cool, the walls seem to stretch endlessly, and every sound echoes through the stone corridors. Would your imagination begin to play tricks on you?

I suspect even the bravest young adventurers might hold on a little tighter to their companions!

The connection to my book

In Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones, Bubba and Squirt head to Paris, where the famous catacombs provide a fascinating setting for adventure. The real history of this underground world is a great introduction to learning about Paris, its past, and the unusual places that exist beneath its streets.

It's also an opportunity to talk with children about the difference between historical evidence and folklore. We can enjoy a spooky story while still asking questions, investigating facts, and thinking like historians.

Why Do Ghost Stories Fascinate Us?

From an imperial hotel in China to Maya ruins in Belize and underground passages in France, ghost stories appear in cultures around the world. Although the details differ, many legends share common themes: mysterious figures, unfinished business, forgotten history, and places where the past seems unusually close to the present.

These stories can also inspire us to explore history in a new way. A ghost legend might lead us to learn about a powerful empress, investigate the achievements of the ancient Maya, or discover why millions of human remains were moved beneath Paris.

And for young readers, that curiosity can be the beginning of a lifelong love of reading and discovery.

Travel the World with Bubba and Squirt!

I love creating adventures that encourage children to explore the world, discover different cultures, and ask questions about the places they visit—even when those places come with a spooky legend or two!

If your family enjoys mysteries, history, and a little bit of the unexplained, I invite you to join Bubba and Squirt on their adventures:

• Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China — Discover China and explore the history and legends that make it such a fascinating destination.

• Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure — Journey to the world of the ancient Maya and discover the wonders of Belize.

• Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones — Head to Paris for an adventure inspired by the city's remarkable history and mysterious underground world.

You never know where a good book might take you—or what mysteries you might discover along the way!

Happy reading, and keep exploring!

Note: Ghost sightings and hauntings described in this article are folklore or reported paranormal claims, not established facts. Historical details provide context for the legends.