bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Yating Yang

Two men caught inscribing positive words and their names on rocks at 35 historical sites on China’s Mount Tai in a single day claim they did so to “change their fate”.
The case gained national attention on November 7, when China’s Supreme People’s Court released details of it to mark the first anniversary of the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on Cultural Relics Protection.
The move was also aimed at raising public awareness about cultural heritage preservation.
Two men are from Heze in northern China’s Shandong province.

One of them, Zhang, only completed primary school and the other, Li, is illiterate.
They became convinced that writing their names and phrases like “success”, “good luck” and “blessings” on the sacred Taoist mountain of Mount Tai could change their fate.
Both men had previously received administrative penalties for defrauding others using feudal superstitions.
Mount Tai, in Tai’an City, Shandong province, is a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site and is recognised as the easternmost of China’s Five Sacred Mountains.

Its ancient architecture and stone inscriptions carry significant historical, artistic and scientific value.
On July 18, 2021, the duo took red marker pens to the Red Gate of Mount Tai and proceeded to deface multiple cultural relics.
In a single day, they defaced a total of 35 cultural relics, six of which were under national-level protection and 29 under provincial-level care.
The graffiti mainly consisted of phrases seeking blessings or good fortune, such as “Open the Celestial Base”, along with their own names and “Made it” or “Time to Rise”.
The men claimed they were praying for their families’ safety and their children’s academic success.
They also admitted that they had watched short videos online which claimed that writing one’s name on a stone pillar and having others read it aloud could bring good luck.
Believing that Mount Tai was imbued with spiritual energy, they became convinced it would bring them even greater blessings.
The Taishan District People’s Court found Zhang and Li guilty of intentionally damaging cultural relics, sentencing Zhang to one year in prison with two years' probation and a fine of 2,000 yuan (US$280), while Li was fined 1,500 yuan.
Both men were also ordered to make a public apology and pay 70,588 yuan (US$9,900) in ecological damage compensation.
Considering their financial situations, the court allowed them to fulfil the compensation through public service labour.

Zhang must complete 2,672 hours of community service within two years and Li must complete 151 hours within six months.
It is a common practice at scenic spots for people to carve their names and messages, often driven by superstitions or the belief that such acts will help fulfil wishes.
The case sparked sarcasm and humour on mainland social media.
One person said: “Well, it worked, he really changed his fate. From a hard life to a prison life.”
While another said: “Mount Tai really is spiritual. His wish came true. Time to reflect and reform in jail.”


Chinese man returns home to become mover after decade in Australia and business failure

Why China Yugur ethnic group’s wedding tradition involves groom shooting 3 arrows at bride

China men’s clothing brand slammed for laundry care tag, ‘please give it to your beloved woman’

China snack brand criticised for making staff change surname to ‘rat’, call customers ‘master’

Trending in China

China duo caught inscribing words like ‘success’, ‘good luck’ at ancient sites to change fate

Two men in China have been arrested for inscribing words such as “success”, “good luck” and “blessings” at 35 historical sites on a sacred mountain in the belief that it could alter their fortunes. Photo:  Douyin/RedNote

Inscriptions on a rock face at Taishan Mountain, which is a protected site in China. Photo: Shutterstock 

The men had become convinced that by leaving the inscriptions their fortunes would improve. Photo: seelvyou.com

Mount Tai, or Taishan, is considered one of the five most sacred mountains in China. Photo: Shutterstock

China dad quits job to sell fried rice near daughter’s school after she complains about food

A father in China quit his job 900 kilometres away to to sell food outside his daughter’s university after she complained about the food there. Photo: Douyin

Li Bingdi with her father as a youngster. The pair have developed a strong bond. Photo: Douyin

Baby Li with her father and mother, who died from leukaemia several years ago. Photo: Douyin

Li’s father cooks up a storm at his stall near the gates of his daughter’s university. Photo: Douyin

After a shaky start, Li senior’s food stall is now thriving, with the help of his daughter. Photo: Douyin

Why Chinese term ‘iron rooster’ refers to stinginess; what’s wealthy man’s concubine link?

We explain why, in China, the term “iron rooster” refers to someone who is extremely stingy and how its origins trace back to a wealthy man who wanted to take a concubine with no demands. Photo: Shutterstock

An actual iron rooster. The ancient term not only denotes a stingy person, it also has meaning in China’s modern-day capital market. Photo: Sohu

An old Chinese painting portrays a frugal lifestyle, featuring a simple meal and minimalist living. Photo: Sohu

An ancient Chinese painting vividly illustrates the prosperous lifestyle of its era, showcasing the leisurely court life and the comfortable activities of the affluent merchant class and aristocracy. Photo: Sohu

Donations surge for ‘most humble’ China zoo for protected animals after story goes viral

A small zoo in China has gone viral because it cares for more than 20 nationally protected animals. Photo: RedNote

The zoo’s director, Feng Yuanyong, has dedicated his life to the sanctuary and even uses some of his pension to help sustain its operations. Photo: Sina

The entrance to the “humble” zoo where care is taken of more than 20 nationally protected animals. Photo: Sina

Among the animals at the small-sized zoo, which only measures 3,500 square metres, is this llama. Photo: Sina

This bear appears to be not only friendly but also very popular among visitors to the zoo. Photo: Sina

Visitors make their way down a hillside path which was specially carved out by Feng himself. Photo: Sina

Staff at work in an office at the zoo which saw donations and visitor numbers surge after its story went viral. Photo: Sina

China boss fires worker for sick leave after recording shows him walking 16,000 steps

A company in China sacked an employee who had requested sick leave for pain in his right foot after they discovered a WeChat recording of him walking 16,000 steps on the same day. Photo: Shutterstock

Chen was seen running to the company’s premises on the day he applied for sick leave. Photo: Shutterstock

The company provided data from chat software records which showed Chen had taken more than 16,000 steps on the day he applied for sick leave citing foot pain. Photo: Shutterstock

A man walks to work over a harbour bridge. Online observers said the company had no right to check on Chen’s private data. Photo: Shutterstock

China guest floods hotel room after cancellation denied, pays US$4,200 instead of US$15 room rate

A woman hotel guest in China flooded her room after her request to cancel a one-night stay was denied. Photo: Shutterstock/Douyin

The angry woman inundated the bathroom with water by turning on the basin tap and shower. Photo: Handout

The overflowing water from the bathroom basin eventually leaked down to the hotel’s lobby. Photo: Douyin

The guest even threw the budget hotel’s bedding into the bathroom, soaking it with water and shower gel. Photo: Shutterstock

News

People & Culture

Poorly educated pair who were previously punished for fraudulently using feudal superstitions get jail terms reduced to community service


Poorly educated pair who were previously punished for fraudulently using feudal superstitions get jail terms reduced to community service.


Chinese tourists