13 strange features that are completely common in China (14 photos)

China is not only a large country, but about 56 nationalities live on its territory. Therefore, here you can find absolutely amazing customs and things that are unique to the Celestial Empire. In this post you will see truly exclusive, sometimes shocking features of this huge country.





1. Gastronomic oddities



The Chinese rarely invite friends to visit their home. This is very difficult because traditionally a meal should consist of a wide variety of dishes. If friends want to meet, they usually go to a restaurant. It's cheap, even despite the Chinese tradition that “he who invites pays for everyone.” But the most shocking gastronomic festival is Yulin, despite the bans and protests of animal rights activists, it is held in June and lasts ten days. And they cook dogs here as food.

2. Housing issue





In addition to apartment buildings, China has many one-story houses that resemble concrete boxes. There isn't much inside, but two must-haves are the good luck hieroglyphs at the entrance and a portrait of Mao Zedong in the largest room. Bathrooms in these houses are usually located outside and do not have showers.

3. But there is a TV



Even in the most modern apartment buildings, the bathroom can surprise with a toilet. Or rather, its absence, since the Chinese toilet does not have a regular seat, like ours, but is installed on the floor. It is believed that this is much more useful for the proper emptying of the intestines.

4. Features of bathrooms



Baths can only be found in expensive hotels and in the homes of wealthy Chinese in big cities. There is only one shower in the apartment, which the Chinese use during the day rather than in the morning, and it is located directly above the floor. In the bathroom, all the water goes into the toilet, including from the washing machine.

5. Train travel



In China, you can buy a ticket without a seat on each train, even if the journey to the final destination takes a couple of days. Therefore, passengers often simply lie on the floor in the aisle.

6. New houses without windows.



Developers are building new houses without windows. When the apartment is sold, the new owners install them themselves. Thus, empty window openings can be located right next to renovated ones.

7. Heating problems



Many houses do not have central heating. In winter, the temperature inside the house can drop to 10-12 degrees Celsius. Local residents often do not take off their outerwear at home and use heaters and water heaters in their bathrooms.

8. A bad number means something completely different.



The highest level of approval is when you receive a message with “666”. “Six, six, six” is pronounced exactly the same as 溜溜溜 - “liu“ liu, liu.” And these 3 characters mean “Cool” cool, cool!”

9. Bars on the windows



Regardless of what floor the apartment is on, there are bars on the windows and balconies. The Chinese say that they install them primarily not to prevent thieves, but to prevent children from falling out of windows. And there is almost always a concierge or gate that is locked at night.

10. Night markets



Night markets are very popular in China. What seems like an ordinary street with cars and pedestrians during the day can turn into a market at night.

11. Down with the rules



China has official traffic rules, but no one follows them. Students, mothers with children and elderly ladies - everyone just crosses roads with 4-6 lanes.

12. Children on a leash



Here you can see parents everywhere holding a leash with their child on the street. This is a safety measure, as children often go missing in China.

13. Loud conversation



Some locals have an alarmingly loud dialect. People seem to be arguing, but in reality they are just talking and do not think that their behavior is bothering others.