Introduction
China is a country filled with unique and fascinating sights that can both delight and terrify visitors. From snake farms to cockroach farms, baby split pants to geese police, the country is full of surprises. Let’s explore 20 strange things you will only see in China.
Snake Farm
In China, snake farms are a real thing where millions of snakes are raised and sold to pharmaceutical companies for various purposes, including medicinal supplements. This practice has been around for centuries and continues to thrive in the country.
Cockroach Farming
Believe it or not, there are cockroach farms in China that help in recycling food waste. These farms have become a novel solution to the increasing food scraps generated by rapid urbanization, with cockroaches being fed to livestock or used in beauty treatments.
Baby with Split Pants
In China, toddlers wear split pants for toilet training, allowing them to relieve themselves without the hassle of diapers. While this traditional practice may seem unusual to some, it has been a common sight in Chinese streets for decades.
The Geese are Police
Surprisingly, geese are used for security purposes by the Chinese police due to their vigilant nature and excellent hearing. This unconventional approach to guarding has raised eyebrows but showcases the unique methods employed in China.
The Stone Forest
The Shilin Stone Forest in China is a natural wonder formed over millions of years, featuring towering rock formations, caves, and waterfalls. This UNESCO World Heritage site is shrouded in legends and folklore, adding to its mystical charm.
Kissing Dinosaurs
In a remote region of China, two enormous dinosaur sculptures engage in a kiss, symbolizing the area’s rich history of fossil discoveries. This quirky display aims to attract tourists and promote the region’s paleontological significance.
Canned Air
An Australian company sells canned air from various locations in Australia to regions with poor air quality, such as China. This novel concept capitalizes on the idea of fresh air as a commodity, catering to those seeking a breath of cleaner air.
China Watermelon Museum
China boasts a dedicated watermelon museum in Beijing, celebrating the region’s prolific watermelon production. The museum offers a quirky blend of fruity facts, artworks, and even a soundtrack from the movie Titanic, making it a unique cultural experience.
China’s Largest Ghost City
Ordos Kangbashi, once envisioned as a bustling city, remains largely uninhabited, earning the title of a ghost city. This phenomenon highlights the challenges of urban planning and development in China’s fast-paced expansion.
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival
Harbin’s annual ice and snow sculpture festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland, showcasing massive ice sculptures illuminated with colorful lights. This grand event attracts visitors from around the world to marvel at the frozen artworks.
The 798 Art Zone
Beijing’s 798 Art Zone is a hub for contemporary art, housed in former military factory buildings. This artistic community has revitalized the district, drawing galleries, exhibitions, and trendy boutiques, making it a vibrant cultural hotspot.
Fake Apple Store
In Kunming, a fake Apple store mimicked the tech giant’s retail concept, fooling even its staff into believing it was an official store. This incident sheds light on the prevalence of counterfeit products in China and the challenges faced by global brands.
The Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam on the Yellow River is the world’s largest power station, generating electricity but also causing ecological changes and environmental concerns. The dam’s construction reflects China’s ambitious infrastructure projects and their impacts.
Tai Chi in the Park
In China, parks are filled with people practicing Tai Chi, a traditional martial art known for its health benefits and meditative qualities. This communal activity showcases the importance of holistic well-being in Chinese culture.
Squat Toilets
Chinese toilets often feature squatting facilities, considered more hygienic than traditional sit-down toilets. This cultural difference reflects varying sanitation practices and preferences in different parts of the world.
Dragon Escalator
The Dragon Escalator, a novelty attraction in China, once offered a unique experience of ascending a gorge on a dragon-shaped escalator. Despite its closure, this quirky creation remains a testament to China’s penchant for extravagant endeavors.
Colorful Striped Mountains
Southern China’s vibrant and stripy landscape, rich in oxidized iron, creates a stunning visual spectacle. The colorful layers of Earth, crops, and flowers blend harmoniously, offering a picturesque view of rural farmland.
Abandoned Green Valley
Shengshan Island in eastern China is home to a deserted fishing village, symbolizing a bygone era of simplicity and hardship. As nature reclaims the abandoned houses, the island serves as a haunting reminder of a once-thriving community.
**Questions:**
1. What is the significance of snake farming in China, and how is it intertwined with traditional medicine practices?
– Snake farming in China plays a crucial role in supplying pharmaceutical companies with snake products for medicinal supplements. The practice has deep roots in traditional Chinese medicine, dating back centuries.
2. How does the concept of cockroach farming in China offer a unique solution to food waste management?
– Cockroach farming in China addresses the challenge of food waste by utilizing these insects to consume organic scraps. The process helps in recycling food waste and offers alternative uses for cockroaches in various industries.
3. Why do toddlers in China wear split pants, and what cultural significance does this practice hold?
– Toddlers in China wear split pants for toilet training, allowing them to relieve themselves without the constraints of diapers. This traditional practice reflects a cultural approach to potty training and practicality in child-rearing.
4. How are geese utilized by the Chinese police for security purposes, and what makes them suitable for such roles?
– Geese are employed by the Chinese police for security duties due to their vigilant nature and acute hearing abilities. Their use demonstrates an unconventional yet effective approach to guarding and protecting certain areas.
5. What environmental impacts are associated with the Three Gorges Dam in China, and how does it reflect the country’s approach to infrastructure development?
– The Three Gorges Dam in China, while generating electricity, has caused ecological changes and environmental concerns such as increased landslides and disrupted biodiversity. This project exemplifies China’s ambitious infrastructure initiatives and their consequences on the environment.