Shirtless sunbathing in Shanghai parks: personal freedom or public nuisance? Not illegal, but park codes discourage; staff only advise.
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Shirtless Men in Shanghai's Parks — Personal Freedom or Public Nuisance?
It's hot in Shanghai. Really hot. And some people are dealing with it by taking their shirts off.
But this isn't just about staying cool. It's sanfu season – the hottest 30 days of summer, when traditional Chinese medicine says the body's yang energy is at its peak and many people seek heat‑based therapies.
One of those therapies? Sun‑bathing your back. And it's creating quite a scene in the city's parks.
At Heping Park (Peace Park), groups of middle‑aged and elderly men have been showing up daily, taking off their shirts, lining up, and turning their bare backs to the sun. Some wear shorts and nothing else. Others simply lift their shirts up.
Personal freedom or public decency?
For some park visitors, it's just a quirky summer ritual. For others, it's uncomfortable to watch – and it's sparked an old question: where's the line between personal freedom and public decency?
One woman told reporters: "It's a public space. Girls feel awkward seeing this, and when kids ask me what's going on, I don't know what to say."
Others shrug it off: "It's their personal choice. Who cares?"
Can the park do anything about it?
Not really. Park staff patrol and politely ask people to cover up – but they can't force anyone.
Is it illegal? No – there's no specific law against going shirtless in public in China. But as one legal expert put it: law is the floor, morality is the ceiling. Just because something isn't illegal doesn't mean it's okay.
Shanghai does have a Civilized Park Code that says "no shirtless strolling" – but it's not legally binding. It's more like a social agreement.
How Shanghai has handled this kind of thing before
This is exactly the kind of grey area that's tough to regulate. But Shanghai has tackled similar issues – like the famous "Seven Don'ts" campaign in the 1990s (don't spit, don't litter, don't smoke in public, etc.). None were laws. But through years of public campaigns, they became second nature to generations of Shanghainese.
Some experts now suggest a similar approach: soft law – community guidelines developed locally, not enforced by police, but carrying enough public weight to actually work.
A note for the sun‑seekers
There's nothing wrong with sun‑bathing your back. In traditional Chinese medicine, it's believed to help warm the body's meridians, dispel dampness, and boost circulation.
But here's the thing: you don't need to take your shirt off to do it. A lightweight, breathable top works just as well – and it protects your skin from UV damage.
The park is now encouraging visitors to:
Dress appropriately – keep your shirt on
Limit exposure – 10 to 20 minutes is plenty
Stay hydrated – bring water, watch for heatstroke
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The online debate
Chinese netizens are split, as usual.
Some say: "It's just bare chests, not full nudity. What's the big deal?"
Others suggest: "Maybe the park could set up a designated sunbathing area."
And some just want everyone to get along.
What do you think?
Bare‑chested sunbathing in public parks – harmless personal freedom, or a step too far? Should parks set aside designated areas, or is that just encouraging the behavior?
Drop your take in the comments.
Source: 新民晚报
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