General Info

[OldAsiaHand]

HEY! The catacombs were the highlight for all ISG newbies, of which there few and far between those days. Something which all newbies practically begged on bended knees for us to take them to! And the name Catacombs I think was coined by the great Johnny Kon!

Think about it RMB30 a pop on a straw mat over a piece of plywood on a hardened mud floor. And a bucket of water in the corner if you're lucky. Heck, people these days would pay big bucks to have such a natural experience! Think green sex-tourism and eco-friendly adventures!

Never had the guts to actually did it myself but have heard many raucous belly-aching stories about what transpired there. From the loud bangs on the shack's tin doors at 15 minutes precisely asking if you want to extend your time and Ka-ching another RMB 30, to how totally natural the "ladies" there were to their beaus of the quarter hour and of course all the great pictorial art by the great Cronin!

Come to think of it, anybody ever dared to actually go to the catacombs at night?

And yeah February 9, 2014 the day that the world we South China mongers knew turned upside down! That very night I was blissfully bonking away whilst my hotel was raided, thank my lucky stars!

Did you guys know that China has a 99.93 criminal conviction rate? And even before you get charged for anything, they can put you into a 15 day detention for investigation when you just rot? What Habeas Corpus?

SEAJ

I have several fond memories of the Catacombs. I always enjoyed taking newbies on the tour to watch the expressions on their faces.

One of my favorite stories was with a Danish guy we took once. As we walked through the hutongs he was wavering back and forth if he shouldtry it. At the top of the hill, he had built his confidence and decided to go for it. Finally, he selected his girl and she refused to service him. By this time we had created a bit of a scene and some local guys were urging her to take the business. She turned to these guys and said and I quote, "Why don't you guys take him up the ass for 30 RMB?" It was a priceless moment I will never forget.

Just my POV.

OAH.

P.S. Yes, it was Johnnykon666 (aka Superforce99) who coined the phrase Catacombs.

[SE Asia Joe]

Hey SEAJ,

You forgot the other side of the coin - no more catacombs!

Ikksman

P.S. Actually I think tomorrow is the first anniversary of the big yanda! CP RIP!

HEY! The catacombs were the highlight for all ISG newbies, of which there few and far between those days. Something which all newbies practically begged on bended knees for us to take them to! And the name Catacombs I think was coined by the great Johnny Kon!

Think about it – RMB30 a pop on a straw mat over a piece of plywood on a hardened mud floor. And a bucket of water in the corner if you're lucky. Heck, people these days would pay big bucks to have such a natural experience! Think green sex-tourism and eco-friendly adventures!

Never had the guts to actually did it myself but have heard many raucous belly-aching stories about what transpired there. From the loud bangs on the shack's tin doors at 15 minutes precisely asking if you want to extend your time and Ka-ching another RMB 30, to how totally natural the "ladies" there were to their beaus of the quarter hour and of course all the great pictorial art by the great Cronin!

Come to think of it, anybody ever dared to actually go to the catacombs at night?

And yeah February 9, 2014 – the day that the world we South China mongers knew turned upside down! That very night I was blissfully bonking away whilst my hotel was raided, thank my lucky stars!

Did you guys know that China has a 99.93 criminal conviction rate? And even before you get charged for anything, they can put you into a 15 day detention for investigation when you just rot? What Habeas Corpus?

SEAJ

[Ikksman]

Misty eyed as I read your report, cause gone are the days when the whole of southern China was indeed a sex Disneyland. {S N I P}

Truly a paradise lost.

SEAJ

Hey SEAJ,

You forgot the other side of the coin - no more catacombs!

Ikksman

P.S. Actually I think tomorrow is the first anniversary of the big yanda! CP RIP!

[Ikksman]

The blocking of VPN services is actually being done very crudely. China simply blocks transmissions to / from the servers that they know are being used by the private VPN providers.

I am successfully again using StrongVPN, by utilising an updated software service that they have developed or simply using mirror servers that are not blocked.

So I guess that the future is a merry-go-round of China blocking servers or VPN-like systems, and then VPN providers developing new work-arounds, etc etc.

Ikksman.

[SE Asia Joe]

It is true that, for some reason, Shanghai has not been hit by the crackdown as much as other parts ..

Just my POV.

OAH.

Misty eyed as I read your report, cause gone are the days when the whole of southern China was indeed a sex Disneyland.

Not just because of the quantity and quality, which had consistently been high, but the whole atmosphere of mongering here when sex just became a very nice part of a total mongering experience. Genuine and unselfish Bro-mance as we go on chicken runs, forays to saunas / footsies and of course getting all heady from the heat and smells and confusion of the hundreds strong flower streets.

Yes, of course there were the pushy mommies and even one particular Pappa we all hated, but for the most part it was all joyful without the undercurrent of tension and dastardly deeds in other places like LOS and PI.

And of course the gentle nature of our Chinese courtesans! A real hazard was falling hard for the GFE and how most of them could still be so nice and gentle when their station in life and prospects are so dismal.

Nowadays? Overpriced, princess syndrome, lousy attitudes, and of course all sorts of trepidation as LE action have been ridiculous and still continue. Sigh!

Truly a paradise lost.

SEAJ

[Erasmus B Dragin]

>> And, tears come to my eyes when I remember, "Pink Color". <<
OAH.

While visiting several BBSs off Baiwan Lu in CP a few years back the mamas kept repeating what I interpreted as "pin ka la" while pulling out a girl's tits for my inspection. Otherwise our conversation was entirely in Chinese so I had no idea what they were saying. The following day I had lunch with Santa, who explained that it was their attempt at "pink color", as they assumed that all white guys were looking for pink nipples! Your legacy in CP!

[OldAsiaHand]

It is true that, for some reason, Shanghai has not been hit by the crackdown as much as other parts of China, especially the South. The last time I visited Shanghai was in November /2014. There are still many FS saunas in operation. Whilst there are less BBS than before, you can still find strips of BBS around, albeit many have moved to the outskirts of town. That said, there seemed to be more shut doors than open ones. I did not visit the clubs since I am not keen for Vietnamese or Filipinas in China since I travel to those countries often.

It is also true that S. China has been hit hard as Ikksman says. His recollection of the past is spot on. My first visit to CP was in 1995. There was really only one KTV (Lion) and the BBS strip that later became coined as the Night Market. I watched and mongered with joy as CP become a mecca of adult entertainment over the years I lived in China. And, tears come to my eyes when I remember, "Pink Color". Shanghai has never been anything like what CP was in the prime. As they say, the higher they go, the harder they fall.

I lived in SZ from 2001-2004. This was the heyday. Sha Tsui, BBS (Futian Walmart, Jusco, Meilin, Seibu to name a few), Pink Apartments, touts by the Shangri-La, etc. FS saunas on every corner. ZH was the value for money sauna capital with the full list of steps as low as 268 RMB.

These are the days that will never come back. IMHO, you will always be able to get laid in China but the prices will continue to go up and the number of options will continue to go down. I have also had my share of freebies but it is never really free. I always end up spending more money on them than I do mongering. And, eventually, they all want something more than just a good time.

Just my POV.

OAH.

This post, on the Beijing subforum, was in response to a post by OAH, who wrote "IMHO, we will never see China again like it was in the day".

OAH was not just referring to pick-up bars and BBSs in Shanghai, but the whole gamut of sex-related activities throughout China. My own experiences are mainly limited to the South, and I can honestly say that things are not like it was in the (good old) days anywhere in South China.

There were areas (maybe 8 or more blocks) in villages in Shenzhen where literally hundreds of WGs from 18 -25 were openly available. Shatsui Cun was the best known with 3000-5000 WGs on the streets, in doorways, in window type shops, KTVs and BBSs. Today, in Shatsui, the few mamasans will only bring girls one by one into rooms for you to make your selection. Of course there are a couple of other villages that still exist in SZ, such as Luohu, Xiangxi, and Hubeixin Cuns, that have limited numbers of WGs available when there is no LE attention, but very rare to get a non-rushed GFE.

There were more than a hundred saunas in SZ (including many in 3-4 star hotels) which had well trained girls who would sequentially perform a variety of different services (up to 20!) depending on your menu selection. These non-veggie operations have virtually disappeared from all of Shenzhen, and totally from the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts (where they were previously concentrated). At best you can now only get HJ, or if really lucky a CBJ. Of course it is still sometimes possible to arrange "out of hours" service directly with the girls.

There are a number of KTVs in outlying areas of SZ, where take-out is still available. But foreigners do not seem to be made welcome. I have been taken to some of these establishments (in Longgang) by business colleagues, and no one working there speaks any English.

I believe that many Chinese in South China blame the current crackdown on the recent (over the last 5-10 years) influx of foreigners, particularly Taiwanese, Singaporean and Malaysian mongerers, with many of them arriving in packaged "sex" tours.

And of course, there is the (in) famous Changping, which is now virtually dead. Previously, there was more than a hundred sauna and KTV operations, some holding 'flower street' displays of up to 500 girls, and even operating within the premises of hotels. No "walk of shame" taking girls back to your hotel. You were already there! The WGs even had to pay for formal training of 2-4 weeks (often referred to as ISO standard training)!

There were various estimates of 30,000 to 60,000 WGs in CP's heyday (with one estimate as high as 250,000 for the whole of DG). There were multiple claims that one in ten workers in DG was involved, directly or indirectly, in the sex trade (total population about 9 million from memory).

I will carry with me forever the memory of hundreds and hundreds of SYTs scurrying around the streets of CP in the afternoon, all getting their makeup and hair done for the evening's festivities. And I will likewise remember wandering around the BBSs for a late afternoon selection, with mamasans all eager for me to pick one of their girls, showing the girls' breasts, saying "look at their pink nipples".

Many other cities in Guangdong and other provinces in South China also had significant operations (on a much smaller scale than CP). FS saunas now barely exist anywhere that is accessible to foreigners.

Yeah, right. China has not changed!

Actually, I believe that China is entering a puritanical period. Indications include continuous crackdowns versus the previous periodic ones, banning overseas TV shows (such as Big Bang Theory) which have some low level sexual content, and even censoring a local TV historical drama (Empress of China), removing all cleavage from the episodes (changing waist level shots to head shots). The list goes on and on.

Very sad, and enough to make one convert to freebies with all their dramas! But, to be honest, I have always been a freebie guy and my mongering has only been something to experience occasionally as a fun adventure or when with business colleagues.

Ikksman.

[Ikksman]

{S N I P} I was in Shanghai for a week in October. Stopped by Judy's and it was jam packed. On a weekday.
{S N I P} I didn't notice as many BBS's as usual, but then again I was mostly working my tail off while there.
{S N I P} So, in my opinion, in Shangai at least, things are reasonably normal. I'll be in Beijing in May, for a trade show. I'm betting the usual touts will be handing out 'business' cards galore. Can things be as bad in Beijing as you say?
Huck.

This post, on the Beijing subforum, was in response to a post by OAH, who wrote "IMHO, we will never see China again like it was in the day".

OAH was not just referring to pick-up bars and BBSs in Shanghai, but the whole gamut of sex-related activities throughout China. My own experiences are mainly limited to the South, and I can honestly say that things are not like it was in the (good old) days anywhere in South China.

There were areas (maybe 8 or more blocks) in villages in Shenzhen where literally hundreds of WGs from 18 -25 were openly available. Shatsui Cun was the best known with 3000-5000 WGs on the streets, in doorways, in window type shops, KTVs and BBSs. Today, in Shatsui, the few mamasans will only bring girls one by one into rooms for you to make your selection. Of course there are a couple of other villages that still exist in SZ, such as Luohu, Xiangxi, and Hubeixin Cuns, that have limited numbers of WGs available when there is no LE attention, but very rare to get a non-rushed GFE.

There were more than a hundred saunas in SZ (including many in 3-4 star hotels) which had well trained girls who would sequentially perform a variety of different services (up to 20!) depending on your menu selection. These non-veggie operations have virtually disappeared from all of Shenzhen, and totally from the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts (where they were previously concentrated). At best you can now only get HJ, or if really lucky a CBJ. Of course it is still sometimes possible to arrange "out of hours" service directly with the girls.

There are a number of KTVs in outlying areas of SZ, where take-out is still available. But foreigners do not seem to be made welcome. I have been taken to some of these establishments (in Longgang) by business colleagues, and no one working there speaks any English.

I believe that many Chinese in South China blame the current crackdown on the recent (over the last 5-10 years) influx of foreigners, particularly Taiwanese, Singaporean and Malaysian mongerers, with many of them arriving in packaged "sex" tours.

And of course, there is the (in) famous Changping, which is now virtually dead. Previously, there was more than a hundred sauna and KTV operations, some holding 'flower street' displays of up to 500 girls, and even operating within the premises of hotels. No "walk of shame" taking girls back to your hotel. You were already there! The WGs even had to pay for formal training of 2-4 weeks (often referred to as ISO standard training)!

There were various estimates of 30,000 to 60,000 WGs in CP's heyday (with one estimate as high as 250,000 for the whole of DG). There were multiple claims that one in ten workers in DG was involved, directly or indirectly, in the sex trade (total population about 9 million from memory).

I will carry with me forever the memory of hundreds and hundreds of SYTs scurrying around the streets of CP in the afternoon, all getting their makeup and hair done for the evening's festivities. And I will likewise remember wandering around the BBSs for a late afternoon selection, with mamasans all eager for me to pick one of their girls, showing the girls' breasts, saying "look at their pink nipples".

Many other cities in Guangdong and other provinces in South China also had significant operations (on a much smaller scale than CP). FS saunas now barely exist anywhere that is accessible to foreigners.

Yeah, right. China has not changed!

Actually, I believe that China is entering a puritanical period. Indications include continuous crackdowns versus the previous periodic ones, banning overseas TV shows (such as Big Bang Theory) which have some low level sexual content, and even censoring a local TV historical drama (Empress of China), removing all cleavage from the episodes (changing waist level shots to head shots). The list goes on and on.

Very sad, and enough to make one convert to freebies with all their dramas! But, to be honest, I have always been a freebie guy and my mongering has only been something to experience occasionally as a fun adventure or when with business colleagues.

Ikksman.

[Kbj2010]

Since VPN' s are more and more blocked, which translation app is remaining and best beyond "iTranslate"?

Thanks for any recommendation!!

Gregory.

Baidu Translate works everywhere in China (since it is a Chinese company that supports it) and does a relatively good job at translation. Typing works better than spoken, but as with all translators, sometimes it seems to get syntax wrong (which impacts longer phrases more than short ones).

[GregoryB]

Since VPN' s are more and more blocked, which translation app is remaining and best beyond "iTranslate"?

Thanks for any recommendation!!

Gregory.

[Ikksman]

Does the ID card Chinese expire and need to be renewed periodically? A Jiangxi gal working in Shanghai came to my room many times, then suddenly she said her card expired and she could only come to my room for a few minutes after being stopped by the hotel staff. How would she buy a train ticket back to Jiangxi with an expired ID?

Chinese Id cards are valid for 10 years. On the bottom of the reverse side of the card is the issue and expiry dates.

I suspect that there would be no problem buying a train ticket with an expired card, but I stand to be corrected. I know that the Id number is usually printed on the ticket (which of course may have been purchased on the internet, using a ticketing machine, or through an agency), but I don't think that anyone checks the validity of the Id card.

Additionally, I am pretty sure that it is possible for her to get a new card without having to return to her hometown (possibly mailing necessary documentation to hometown police station).

Ikksman.

[Beijing4987]

Does the ID card Chinese expire and need to be renewed periodically? A Jiangxi gal working in Shanghai came to my room many times, then suddenly she said her card expired and she could only come to my room for a few minutes after being stopped by the hotel staff. How would she buy a train ticket back to Jiangxi with an expired ID?

[FreebieFan]

Not smart in my opinion but I am as they always say just a stupid ugly foreigner who knows nothing.

FA.

Nicely written FA, from another know nothing foreigner.

My VPN which was very strong previously had to be reset a few times to get it working recently. A recent lady friend friend on a dating site asked me why my location now showed as Minnesota LOL.

I too can do happily without facebook or wastebook, but do need my Bloomberg now and again and because of a report they made 3 years about a certain Premiers daughter having accumulated a lot of unexplained welth (sic), its been banned and inaccessible since.

Then again I'm like you, I know FA as we say in UK.

[FernandoAlonso]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...tter/22235707/

Be careful out there!

I only want to be able to work in peace. Modern work and live includes emails and Internet. This is indeed flexing muscles and who believes it does not hurt business here knows little about China. I mean domestic business, we know how little foreigners count. Embassy websites and foreign equivalents to the Konfuzius institute were blocked, imagine that happening to China in another country, they would send troops. Blockages are completely arbitrary, there is still free access to highly unwelcome information while e. G. Foreign sports results need a VPN to access.

What strikes me most is why at a point in time where there is no apparent threat to the leadership things became so paranoid. I never used a VPN before. I not like being able to use Facebook etc. But that is the price you pay living in the political system as is. Now everybody is forced to go undercover just to do normal live things. This will hardly help to transform the country into an innovative domestic demand driven society. I really do not get where the paranoia stems from. It feels like a step back 40 years. Someone has opened a Pandora's box without need. And while many Chinese indeed care little as long as they can use Wechat and stream soaps the people with the passion and intellect to drive needed changes all rethink where there best future lays.

Not smart in my opinion but I am as they always say just a stupid ugly foreigner who knows nothing.

FA.

[Kbj2010]

In the past whilst in China, I had always pulled up the following link from which I can choose from literally hundreds of FREE proxy servers:

http://www.proxy4free.com/list/webproxy1.html

Is this and other free proxy server lists still accessible in China now?

SEAJ.

Sorry, but this one like nearly all proxy list servers is blocked. At least in Beijing.