When compared to some western countries, China can seem like an otherworldly place. Characterized by huge crowds of people and a fast pace, China is undoubtedly a unique place to live. Check out these photos that show what life is really like there!
There Are 113 Students Per Classroom In China's Most Crowded School
China is the most populated country in the world, so it should come as no surprise that daily life in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai is dominated by large crowds of people. There was an average of just over 37 children per class in primary schools across the country in 2014, and more than 48 students per class in lower secondary schools. The ratio of children to teaching staff tends to be higher than it is in countries with smaller populations.
According to Sixth Tone, the most crowded school in China has 113 students per classroom. With the closure of smaller village schools, more children are forced to attend the larger schools in county seats. Rural families also purposely send their children to school in urban areas in the hopes that they’ll have more access to facilities and opportunities. Most schools in China don’t have quite so many students per class, but the national standard is still higher than it is elsewhere in the world.
Naturally, being a student in a class of this size has an effect on the learning potential of the students. But there are also safety risks involved with such overcrowding, with incidents of stampeding, resulting in death and injuring occurring at primary schools in the past.
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Group Exercise Is Much More Common
Group exercise is reasonably common in western countries, but it’s a way of life for many people in China. Particularly among those who are middle-aged and older, group exercise is a popular way of staying fit and healthy. In many Chinese cities, exercisers can be found in parks and other public open areas early in the mornings and in the evenings.
The type of exercise that people do in China varies, but some sports and activities are more common than others, particularly in a group setting. Along with traditional physical activities like tai chi, exercise groups are also known to participate in activities like ballroom dancing and line dancing.
Group exercise is also a social occasion, in addition to a form of self-care. Historically, group exercise has also been implemented in institutions such as schools, universities, and workplaces, encouraging a sense of community and discipline.
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Traffic Congestion In Beijing
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You can’t expect to live in the world’s most populated country and not encounter a few traffic jams. This image shows traffic congestion in the capital city of Beijing. Looking at photos like this, it’s easy to see why the Beijing subway has undergone redevelopments for expansion in recent years! In addition to the subway, buses, and taxis also operate in Beijing, but they are subject to road traffic.
Traffic congestion in China can get so bad that there have even been traffic jams that have lasted days. In 2010 the country experienced the nightmarish China National Highway 110 jam which lasted for nine days. Leading up to the incident, traffic on the China National Highway had increased 40% per year over the previous several years. Vendors soon turned up to the highway selling food and cigarettes to stranded drivers.
Although measures have been taken to improve the traffic situation in Beijing and limit the number of vehicles on the roads, there is still a lot of congestion. In fact, the city has been termed Shoudu or Capital of Traffic Kams.
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The Metro At Peak Hour In Shanghai
Beijing isn’t the only Chinese city with a lot of traffic. Shanghai is not as notorious for traffic jams but is still heavily congested, especially around peak hours in the morning and evening, when commuters are on the way to and from work and school.
One alternative to driving in Shanghai is taking the metro system, which is the second-largest in the world after Beijing’s subway. Even though the system is large and efficient, it does get quite crowded. This image offers a glimpse of what it’s like to catch the metro at peak hours.
Generally speaking, the rush hour takes place in the morning between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and in the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Shenzhen Beach On A Warm Day
Linking Hong Kong to mainland China, Shenzhen is a popular city in the southeast of the country. And as evidenced in the picture, the beaches in the region are popular too. You’ll find palm trees and sandy shores here, along with crowds of people in the summer.
One of the most famous and largest beaches in the area is Dameisha Beach, which is renowned for the huge crowds that typically flock there when the weather is nice.
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