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Asia has significantly shaped the Western world in countless ways. However, despite the immense advantages we've gained from its contributions, we've only begun to scratch the surface of the depth and diversity of this vast continent. From ancient traditions to modern phenomena that may leave you utterly amazed, here are 10 fascinating and unusual facts about Asia.
10. Universal Birthday
Fact: During Vietnamese New Year, Everyone Celebrates Their Birthday
Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, is celebrated every year during late winter and spans several days. It starts on the Lunar calendar's first day, typically falling in late January or early February.
Among the numerous Tet customs, the new year is also regarded as a universal birthday celebration. Similar to Koreans, Vietnamese people calculate age based on the number of Lunar new years they have experienced. This means a baby officially becomes one year old during their first Tet, even if they were born just days before the celebration.
9. Thailand’s Water Gun Festival
When it comes to New Year traditions, the Thai New Year, celebrated from April 13th to 15th, is a standout. Known as Songkran, which translates to 'astrological passage,' the festival's highlight involves getting drenched with a mix of water, flour, or talc powder.
Originally, the festival held spiritual significance—water was poured over Buddha statues, and the runoff was collected to bless loved ones for good fortune. Today, it has transformed into a lively water fight, with water guns sold on every street corner and people drenching anyone who walks by.
8. Largest Shopping Mall
Fact: The World’s Largest Shopping Mall Is A Ghost Town
In 2005, Chinese billionaire Alex Hu Guirong initiated the construction of the world’s largest shopping mall in Dongguan, China. Spanning seven million square feet, the New South China Mall was designed to house 2,350 stores, alongside attractions like a full-sized indoor roller coaster, a 1.3-mile-long canal with gondolas, and an 82-foot replica of the Arc de Triomphe.
However, there was a major issue—almost no one wanted to open a store in the mall. From 2005 to today, only about one percent of the space has ever been occupied. The remaining 6,930,300 square feet remain unused, covered in dust, with only security guards patrolling to prevent squatters.
Several factors contributed to the mall's failure, one being its location. Dongguan, with a population of 10 million mostly consisting of low-income factory workers, is not easily accessible, often requiring hours of travel to reach.
7. Merry Christmas
Fact: North Koreans Celebrate Their Own Unique Version of Christmas
In North Korea, Christmas is not celebrated in the traditional sense. Instead, it is viewed more as a political event than a festive occasion. Rather than observing Christmas, North Koreans commemorate the birthday of Kim Jong Il’s mother, which falls on December 24th.
The North Korean government has a well-documented history of tightly controlling religious activities within its borders. For instance, in 2002, a woman was famously tortured for aiding Christians in escaping the country. Since then, the regime has actively suppressed Western influences, including replacing Christmas with patriotic holidays. These include celebrating the birth of Kim Jong Il’s mother, Constitution Day on December 27th, and New Year marches to the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea.
6. China Only Has One Time Zone
Despite spanning approximately 3,200 miles (5,200 km) in width—enough to cover five time zones—China operates under a single national time zone. This practice has been in place since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
The decision to adopt a single time zone was primarily political. After decades of civil war, the People’s Republic of China aimed to foster national unity. However, this meant that while Beijing experienced sunrise at 6 AM, regions like Xinjiang in the west wouldn’t see daylight until two hours later.
This system remains in effect today, though Xinjiang has unofficially established its own time zone, two hours behind China Standard Time. The Chinese government, however, does not officially acknowledge it.
5. It’s Illegal To Be Fat In Japan
Japan is recognized as the slimmest industrialized nation globally, largely due to its strict laws. Japanese legislation mandates that men over 40 cannot have a waistline exceeding 3 inches (85 cm), while women are allowed a slightly larger limit of 35.4 inches (90 cm).
The rationale behind this law is rooted in health concerns. Slimmer individuals are generally healthier, and the regulation aims to reduce issues like high cholesterol and hypertension. Those exceeding the legal waist size must undergo counseling and follow government-mandated diets. Additionally, companies with a high number of overweight employees face fines, which are allocated to senior healthcare programs.
4. World Population
Fact: China and India Account for One-Third of the Global Population
While China’s massive population is widely recognized, the numbers are astonishing. For instance, Sichuan province alone has more residents than the combined populations of Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Guatemala, Austria, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada—and it’s only the fourth-largest province in China.
Together, India and China account for over one-third of the global population—approximately 2.5 billion people as of 2012. Remarkably, this vast number of people resides in an area only slightly larger than the United States.
3. Chinese Children
Fact: Chinese Children Are Often Named After Significant Events
In 1992, when China applied to host the 2000 Olympics, 680 parents named their newborns 'Aoyun,' meaning 'Olympic Games.' Over the next 15 years, more than 4,000 children were given this name, with a notable increase after China was confirmed to host the 2008 Olympics. Naming children after major events or political movements is a common practice in China.
This naming practice is just one of many in China. According to official records, other popular names include 'Defend China' and 'Build the Nation.' Some children are even given names like 'Space Travel,' which is undeniably impressive. Additionally, nearly 300,000 individuals are named 'Civilisation.' To put this into perspective, it’s akin to an American naming their child 'America' or 'Obama for President.'
2. Watch Those Hands
Fact: Indians Eat With Their Right Hand and Use Their Left for Hygiene
One of India’s most intriguing traditions is the practice of eating exclusively with the right hand. This stems from the custom of using the left hand for cleaning after using the toilet, where water is used instead of toilet paper. Outside of hotels and restaurants catering to Westerners, finding a restroom with toilet paper is rare. After all, why use paper when your left hand serves the purpose effectively?
Beyond eating, using your left hand for other actions, such as exchanging money or greeting someone with a handshake, is considered highly disrespectful.
1. Baby Tossing For Good Luck
In Solapur, India, a unique ritual takes place at a mountain shrine where newborns are tossed from a 50-foot tower. This practice is believed to bestow the child with good fortune, bravery, and health. Monks at the base catch the babies using a stretched sheet.
This Muslim tradition, dating back over 500 years, continues to this day. Despite widespread concern, villagers in Musti assert that no injuries have ever occurred. A video of the ritual can be viewed here.
