Last week while crossing the Fengcai Bridge in Shaoguan, I noticed a few people looking up at something.
I soon surmised their attention had been caught by an advertisement for a Halloween party.
The other side of the billboard was the same.
And similar signs appeared over a road leading to the Shaoguan East Railway Station.
Not to be outdone, a fitness club had a Halloween activity planned as well.
And during several returns to an RT-Mart in Shaoguan I always saw a crowd around the Halloween supplies for sale.
The RT-Mart also added two Halloween-themed candy displays.
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.
And a popular arcade had Halloween activities, including free face painting.
At the History East Road shopping area I saw a variety of people, mostly younger, appropriately dressed for the holiday.
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.
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.
I soon surmised their attention had been caught by an advertisement for a Halloween party.
The other side of the billboard was the same.
And similar signs appeared over a road leading to the Shaoguan East Railway Station.
Not to be outdone, a fitness club had a Halloween activity planned as well.
And during several returns to an RT-Mart in Shaoguan I always saw a crowd around the Halloween supplies for sale.
The RT-Mart also added two Halloween-themed candy displays.
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.
And a popular arcade had Halloween activities, including free face painting.
At the History East Road shopping area I saw a variety of people, mostly younger, appropriately dressed for the holiday.
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.
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.
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