Before the 2025 Chinese New Year, many people returned to their hometown early and then went back to the city to work or find another job before the holiday season was over. However, despite several days passing since the official return to work, many Chinese bloggers captured scenes of desolation in the cities, prompting questions about the current situation.
On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, which marks the third day of work after the Chinese New Year holiday, bloggers from different parts of the country documented the desolate scenes of their respective cities.
In Guangzhou, one blogger captured the current situation on February 7th: “It’s the tenth day of the Lunar New Year. Let me show you the current situation at the clothing village and Qiaonan New Street in Guangzhou. Compared to the same period last year, it is still much quieter. Many people are torn between staying at home or going to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, or coming to Guangzhou. In my opinion, choosing what suits oneself is the best option.”
Another blogger filmed at a seafood market, comparing the past prosperity to the current desolation, questioning whether it is only the seafood industry that is in decline or if other sectors are facing similar challenges.
A blogger in Chengdu described the city center as desolate with dark clouds looming overhead, mentioning closures, bankruptcies, and liquidations.
Another blogger painted a picture of the current situation in China, with uninhabited houses, closed storefronts, empty streets, and well-maintained roads. Despite the apparent prosperity, the reality is economic depression and lurking crises. The collapse of the real estate market signifies a major downturn in the Chinese economy.
One blogger highlighted the desolation on Zhongshan Road in Xiamen, a city with property prices second only to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Many stores shut down, leading to a stark decrease in tourists. Prices of dishes like fried oysters surged to 30 yuan per serving. What exactly has Xiamen experienced?
A video captured in Shenzhen on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year showed deserted streets with many stores closed, a stark contrast to the bustling scenes of previous years.
Commenting on the desolation, a blogger mentioned that even Dayu City in Henan Province is facing similar circumstances.
Reflecting on the current situation, one blogger expressed concerns about the chilliness in the air, the deep economic downturn, and the numerous businesses facing closure, indicating tough times ahead for factories and shops.
Some netizens suggested that the start of work this year might be slightly delayed, possibly extending past the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year.
In recent years, the Chinese economy has continued to deteriorate, leading to numerous empty shopping malls. Many small and medium-sized private businesses and small vendors are struggling to survive, with closures happening one after another. In 2024, nearly 3 million restaurant outlets closed down, setting a new record. The same year saw over 14,600 Jingyuan companies shut down. Traditional industries are also facing challenges, with reports of 26 clothing factories’ owners fleeing from Xucun Town in Zhejiang in just a month at the end of last year. As foreign capital withdraws, many Chinese factories are relocating to Southeast Asia.
A worker named Mr. Qin, who returned to Shenzhen early, mentioned to a reporter that most factories are not fully operational until after the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year. This year, formal factory operations are not expected to commence before the eighth or tenth day, leaving workers like him anxious about losing their positions if they return late.
Expressing the difficulty faced by workers, a netizen in a video remarked on the unfavorable work environment, saying that those without education or skills are being marginalized and choosing to seek opportunities abroad. He mentioned his plans to move to the Philippines.