What do ordinary Chinese people do when they are not working (19 photos)
The Chinese, like all Asians in general, are extremely hardworking people and aimed at achieving the maximum amount of earthly goods. For this, they are ready to spend 12-15 hours a day at work, forgetting about weekends and vacations and leaving their post only to have a snack or sleep. 
Chinese at work
Some don't do that either, preferring to sleep in the office to get as many errands and overtime done as possible. 
Chinese at work
Such workaholism of the Chinese is easy to explain: from early childhood, simple and understandable truths are planted in their heads - something like “you can’t catch a fish out of a pond without work.” Simply put, if you want to achieve something in this life, work hard and don’t complain. So the Chinese are working hard... 
Chinese at work
However, one should not think that ordinary Chinese citizens have no other joys besides work. They also love to eat delicious food, have a good drink in pleasant company, or engage in their favorite hobby. But what kind of hobbies these are, that’s what we’ll talk about today. 
Chinese people on vacation
Trying to keep up with other countries, China is actively promoting policies to improve the nation's health in order to convey to the largest number of Chinese that sport is the key to a good mood, good health and longevity. 
Chinese pensioners
By the way, an excellent and completely unplanned advertising campaign for a healthy lifestyle is Chinese pensioners who, thanks to a lot of free time and lack of extra money, often train right on the street, thereby attracting everyone to this activity. Older Chinese people exercise on street exercise equipment, practice qigong in parks, and dance in the evenings to music from old tape recorders. 
Chinese pensioners
In addition, Chinese retirees who respect physical education often devote their free time to tai chi or taijiquan - a traditional martial art, which, thanks to its smooth movements and special types of breathing, is often used by the older generation as health-improving gymnastics. Good intensity and minimal risk of injury make tai chi an ideal practice for Chinese retirees. 
Chinese pensioners
Outdoor activities, as you already understood, are typical for the older generation of Chinese, while young people, paying tribute to fashion, prefer to exercise in gyms. “Hardcore” type gyms are somewhat popular in China, where the Chinese really squeeze all the juice out of themselves, carrying huge weights. 
Chinese in the gym
However, for the most part, young Chinese go to gyms simply so that they can throw in the phrase “I work out at the gym” in conversations with friends. It doesn't smell like any kind of activity. Most often, the Chinese simply walk on a treadmill (or pedal), “stick” to their phones or...smoke. 
Chinese man in the gym
Yes, yes, you won’t believe it, but 8 years ago a smoking Chinese man standing between sports equipment and resting between sets was quite a common occurrence. This is truly an amazing nation! Today, however, this is no longer seen... but not because the Chinese have begun to smoke less. I think it's all because of the ban on smoking in public places. 
Chinese man in the gym
Well, sports are a very common pastime, and there is nothing surprising about it. But the Chinese would not be Chinese if they had not come up with an original hobby, such as, for example, flying kites. And, by the way, this hobby certainly cannot be called rare, since both adults and children love to fly kites all over China. 
Flying kites
Moreover, sometimes such a pastime turns into a real festival, during which Chinese citizens literally compete to see whose kite is cooler and whose control skills are better. The main thing is to be lucky with the weather! 
Flying kites
Another common Chinese hobby is carving - artistic carving of vegetables, fruits and berries, chocolate and cheese. In general, for any well-cut edible (or non-edible) material. 
Carving
Moreover, not only culinary fans, but also active Internet users are interested in carving. Cool videos of naughty Chinese carving flowers or animal figures from watermelon or cheese gain a huge number of views, thereby ensuring their authors popularity and demand. And this, as you understand, is very important for Chinese guys and girls who are obsessed with creating colorful content! 
Carving
The next Chinese hobby that is gradually gaining momentum is painting dogs. You've probably noticed miniature dogs with pink tails or bangs. So, this fashion of decorating pets with hair dye came to us from China. 
Painted dogs
The Chinese probably want their pets to look like fantastic creatures, or perhaps they are just trying to add some bright colors to their lives. The true reason for the appearance of the fashion for “colored ponytails” is unknown. However, the fact that such a hobby has long gone beyond China is a fact. Well, as I like to say, everyone goes crazy in their own way. The main thing is that it does not harm pets. 
Painted dog
Among other things, the Chinese have one so-called national hobby, habit or even tradition - drinking tea with family or friends. The Chinese love tea ceremonies, so in almost every home, every family there are special devices for its implementation: from a board and brush for a teapot to figurines on which the first tea leaves are poured. 
A tea set
Some have simpler ones, some have richer ones, but the main thing is that the essence of the tea set does not depend on its visual component. For the Chinese, the tea ceremony is an important, meaningful process, far from simply drinking tea after a hearty lunch or dinner. This is something about spirituality, about the inner state, or something. 
Tea ceremony
Besides all of the above, the Chinese also love to play basketball, volleyball or football; play computer games and conquer the heights of e-sports, as well as sing and play a variety of musical instruments. The only pity is that the Chinese have very, very little time for all this... 
Chinese people play basketball
