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Sunday, November 1, 2015

Halloween Scenes from Shaoguan, China

Last week while crossing the Fengcai Bridge in Shaoguan, I noticed a few people looking up at something.

young women walking on a bridge and looking upwards in Shaoguan


I soon surmised their attention had been caught by an advertisement for a Halloween party.

Billboard in Shaoguan advertising the Halloween 2 party


The other side of the billboard was the same.

Billboard in Shaoguan advertising the Halloween 2 party


And similar signs appeared over a road leading to the Shaoguan East Railway Station.

Billboard near the Shaoguan East Railway Station advertising the Halloween 2 party

Billboard  advertising the Halloween 2 party


Not to be outdone, a fitness club had a Halloween activity planned as well.

Advertisement by a fitness club for a Halloween run in Shaoguan


And during several returns to an RT-Mart in Shaoguan I always saw a crowd around the Halloween supplies for sale.

Halloween supplies for sale at an RT-Mart in Shaoguan, China


The RT-Mart also added two Halloween-themed candy displays.

Halloween Skittles display at the RT-Mart in Shaoguan

Halloween M&M's display at the RT-Mart in Shaoguan

All of these signs plus some discussions I had with locals lead me to believe there would be more Halloween spirit in Shaoguan than I had expected after earlier seeing the Halloween offerings at a Pizza Hut.

I had not expected to still be here on Halloween, but life proved to have other ideas. So I was able to experience some of the city on the special day. What I saw on Halloween night was not as extensive as what I saw in Changsha several years ago, but it still surprised me, especially considering the constant rain all night.

For example, people sold masks and other Halloween-related items at both the Pedestrian Street and The History East Street shopping area.

person selling Halloween supplies at a pedestrian street in Shaoguan

Halloween supplies for sale at The History East Street in Shaoguan


And a popular arcade had Halloween activities, including free face painting.

Halloween face painting the City Hero video arcade in Shaoguan

Halloween face painting the City Hero video arcade in Shaoguan

college student with face paint in Shaoguan

Two City Hero employees with Halloween face paint in Shaoguan

young woman wearing face paint and holding a small stuffed bear in Shaoguan


At the History East Road shopping area I saw a variety of people, mostly younger, appropriately dressed for the holiday.

little boy wearing a Spiderman Halloween mask in Shaoguan, China

group of young people in Shaoguan dressed up for Halloween


And a decent crowd showed up for the party I first saw advertised, also at The History East Road, despite the steady rain. Some people took advantage of the opportunity to dance. Others watched.

Dancing at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan

Dancing at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan

people watching the dancing at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan

people on state at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan

Dancing at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan

Dancing at the Halloween 2 party in Shaoguan, China


Surely this is not cover all of Shaoguan's Halloween activities, but it offers a sense of how another Western holiday is gaining acceptance in China. Even a local reporter noted Halloween's growing presence (in Chinese). By far, most of Shaoguan showed no signs of the holiday and at most homes you would likely only cause much confusion (at best) if you show up trick-or-treating. Still, it's good to know one can end Halloween in Shaoguan at a quiet bar and receive an unexpected free holiday treat to complement your Bloody Mary.

Bloody hand made out of hot dogs, cheese, almonds, and ketchup

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