Buzz
China presents a fascinating contrast. Once one of the most advanced civilizations, it pioneered numerous innovations, many of which the West wouldn't recognize until centuries later. However, the 19th century saw a dramatic decline as the country suffered from foreign invasions, civil unrest, and wars that devastated its infrastructure. After World War II, still reeling from the impacts of Japanese occupation, the Communist Party under Mao Zedong took control. Mao's reign brought enormous suffering, particularly during the Great Chinese Famine of 1958-1961, where estimates of the death toll range from 15 million to over 45 million.
In recent times, China has experienced a remarkable turnaround, emerging as the world's largest manufacturer and a key player in the global economy. However, echoes of its tumultuous past still linger, such as the controversial 'one-child policy.' Below are ten of the more peculiar aspects of life in the world’s most populous nation.
10. Body doubles
In Western countries, the rich often enjoy lives of immense privilege, but even the wealthiest are not entirely free from the law. Billionaire and notorious tightwad 'Queen of Mean' Leona Helmsley famously served almost two years in prison in the early 1990s, and even home goods mogul Martha Stewart faced time behind bars. However, in China, if you have enough money and influence, you can arrange for someone else to take your place behind bars.
Though authorities vehemently deny this practice, many of the 'body doubles' used in these cases bear little resemblance to the person they’re standing in for, and facial recognition technology has proven this. The act of hiring a stand-in to serve your prison sentence is so widespread among China’s elite that it has its own term: 'ding zui,' meaning 'substitute criminal.' A case that resembles the 'whipping boys' of medieval Europe involves 20-year-old wealthy Hu Bin, who killed a man in a 2009 drag racing accident and was sentenced to three years. The person who stood trial in his place looked nothing like Hu but served the sentence and was released in September 2012—likely with a generous payout.
9. Air Pollution
The rapid industrialization and the increasing number of cars in China have led to an unprecedented level of air pollution. In Beijing, the capital city, the smog is so dense that buildings become invisible, and residents are urged to stay indoors to avoid serious lung damage. While the Great Wall of China can't be seen from space, the thick smog certainly can. It's so severe that flights are frequently canceled due to poor visibility. 'Cancer villages'—neighborhoods where numerous residents are dying from inhaling carcinogenic fumes—have begun to appear near urban areas and factories.
Air quality is measured in parts per million (ppm), referring to the number of particles in the air greater than 2.5 micrometers in size. The World Health Organization considers anything over 20ppm to be potentially harmful to one's health. The global average is 71ppm, while Beijing frequently exceeds 500ppm, and at its worst, has reached 775ppm. Despite efforts by the Chinese government to address the issue, those who must wear surgical masks just to go outside still see little progress in improving the situation.
8. Ghost Cities
As the world’s most populous country, China’s population continues to grow rapidly. With the expectation that the increasing number of people will need housing, the government has turned to developers to construct massive urban areas to accommodate them. Unfortunately, property prices have soared far beyond inflation, leaving many of these sprawling cities—complete with skyscrapers, shopping malls, and residential suburbs—largely vacant. The real estate bubble has burst, and hundreds of billions of dollars in investments remain abandoned. The footage from these ghost towns evokes a chilling, post-apocalyptic atmosphere. This is especially evident in the New South China Mall, the world's largest shopping center by leasable area, which has remained 99% empty since its opening in 2005.
7. Dogs
Few cultures have had as complex a relationship with dogs as China. While many of the world’s oldest and most beloved breeds, such as the chow, pug, pekingese, and shih tzu, originated in China, dogs have historically also been viewed as a food source. However, the consumption of dog meat (gou rou) has recently seen a decline. Activists have rescued dogs destined for the market, and as China’s middle class continues to grow, pet dogs have become a symbol of status, much like owning a car. In 2011, a wealthy Chinese oil magnate purchased a striking red Tibetan Mastiff named Hong Dong (Big Splash) for ten million yuan (approximately $1.5 million USD).
6. Facekins
In many parts of the world, tanned skin is considered beautiful, with some going to extreme lengths (and risk) to achieve a sun-kissed look. In contrast, China, a traditionally agrarian society, views pale skin as a sign of beauty. While common laborers worked under the scorching sun, only the wealthy and privileged could afford to remain inside, maintaining their fair complexion. To preserve this appearance, many Chinese are often seen holding umbrellas on sunny days. A new trend in beachwear, however, would likely astonish much of the Western world.
Chinese women have been spotted on the beaches wearing 'Facekinis', protective headgear that covers everything except for their eyes, nostrils, and mouth. This style resembles the masks worn by Mexican ‘luchador’ wrestlers, and comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. It has gained quite a following, with online stores reporting a strong demand. One retailer shared, 'We’re sold out of the pink ones... All of them are popular, but orange is said to be the most effective in protecting against sea creatures.'
5. Traditional Medicine
Long before penicillin was discovered, the Chinese developed their own unique remedies. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the belief that health depends on the flow of qi, or 'life energy,' through channels in the body known as meridians. Practices like acupuncture and fire cupping have surged in popularity, though their efficacy remains a subject of debate. One of the most contentious aspects of TCM is its use of animal parts in medicine, with proponents believing these substances transfer the strength or essence of the animals. In today's world, where modern medicine can often offer a solution to various illnesses, TCM's rise in popularity is causing concern for the survival of multiple species.
One widely used remedy is made from 'bear bile,' a substance derived from bears that suffer in horrific conditions. Some are captured in the wild, while others are born in captivity. These animals are confined to small 'crush cages' where they have little space to move. Their claws are removed, and their teeth are filed down, leaving them defenseless. A hole is cut into the bear’s abdomen, and a catheter is inserted to extract bile, which is believed to aid in fat digestion. To prevent the animal from removing the catheter, it is forced to wear an iron vest. Bear bile is claimed to be a cure-all for various ailments, including headaches, liver issues, and vision problems.
Rhino horn, commonly used in traditional medicine, is thought to help with conditions like fevers and convulsions. Made of keratin— the same material found in human nails— rhino horn has been shown to have no actual medical value. The rarity of rhinoceroses (with most species now critically endangered) has led to the horns being worth more than gold or cocaine. A single horn can even be sold for up to a quarter of a million US dollars.
4. Time Zones
China spans a vast area, ranking as the third-largest country by land size, trailing only Russia and Canada. At its widest, it measures about 3,123 miles across. Before 1949, China was divided into five different time zones. However, after the Communist Party's rise to power, the entire nation adopted a single time zone, set 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. This move was politically motivated, aimed at fostering unity. However, it has its downsides: in the far west, the sun may not rise until after 10 am. To counter this, many people in the region use their own ‘unofficial time.’ Hong Kong and Macau also maintain distinct time zones.
3. Urine Eggs
Asian cuisines are known for their unique and sometimes unconventional dishes, with delicacies like sannakji (live octopus), silkworms, and snake blood wine. However, in Zhejiang province, China, there's a traditional dish that might even surprise the most adventurous eaters. Sold by street vendors similar to hot dogs, ‘boy eggs’ are priced around 25 cents each. At first glance, they appear to be ordinary hard-boiled eggs, but they are cooked in the urine of young boys, typically sourced from elementary schools. The most sought-after variety comes from children under the age of 10.
Locals vouch for the health benefits of these eggs, which are first soaked in urine and then boiled in it. Once boiled, the shells are cracked, and the eggs are simmered for hours in the brine. Described as fresh and salty, these eggs are believed to have numerous health benefits, including preventing heat stroke, alleviating joint pain, and improving blood circulation.
2. Ghost Marriage
Across various cultures, it's a common practice to make small sacrifices or offerings to the deceased in order to help them transition into the afterlife. The Greeks initiated the custom of placing coins on the eyes of the departed, ensuring they could pay Charon, the boatman, who would carry them across the River Styx to the underworld. In ancient Egypt, mummies have been found surrounded by treasures and animals intended to accompany them. Yet, few cultures go as far as providing an unmarried deceased person with a spouse for the afterlife.
Ghost marriage takes different forms, but the central idea involves at least one deceased spouse, typically benefiting the male. In some cases, a living woman is married to a deceased man, leading her to live with his family and maintain celibacy until she joins him in the afterlife. In other situations, the bodies of people who never met are buried together. This has given rise to a grim business in grave robbing, with the price for female corpses reaching around 50,000 yuan ($8,153 USD).
1. Alcohol
Alcohol has been a staple of Chinese culture for millennia, although its trade was restricted in the early years of Communist rule. Over time, it has gained increasing popularity. Recently, the Chinese spirit baiju has started to make waves in the United States and other Western markets. As one American insider from the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Beijing put it, baiju '...tasted like paint-thinner and felt like a liquid lobotomy.'
Like many countries, China has a penchant for the unusual, and one of its curious favorites is America's Pabst Blue Ribbon, a beer typically regarded as subpar. While it costs about a dollar per can in the US, it is sold for a staggering 300 yuan in China (roughly $46 USD).
