They’re not designed to be funny, these signs. But, throughout the Chinese cities I visited, signs of all types were either poorly translated or just not something Americans would post. I’m told folks call these linguistic atrocities “Chinglish.” Take a look at these snapshots.
Funny Signs in China: Guilin
In other words, slippery when wet
DUCK!
Pretty please
Funny Signs in China: Beijing
Near a Buddhist temple with the world’s largest wooden Buddha
Check out the name of that eggplant dish. (The empress dowager has good taste. The eggplant was delicious.)
I’ll have some garoupa for dinna. (Cordyceps flower is a real thing, though. It’s a kind of cultured mushroom.)
Storming?
Funny Signs in China: Chengdu
Shirts with nonsensical English-inspired sayings are ubiquitous in China. The best ones I spotted were on people’s bodies so I couldn’t snap pictures. This one was for sale in a store.
Ear picking! Yet, this one isn’t as comical as it seems. While watching a Chinese variety show — opera, shadow puppets and more — guests are invited to have 15-minute back massages and “Traditional Ear Picking” — some sort of thorough cleaning involving thread. Two people in our group did it. We know it worked because the ear picker placed the picked-out wax on the customer for confirmation. Cost for either service: US$7.50.
Funny Signs in China: Shanghai
Take the time to read this one. Cherishing land, keeping out schizophrenics, emptying bowels, scribbling and hawking around are all discussed.
“Handicapped”
Now they won’t even allow fire on planes? Too many rules.
Funny Signs in China: Xi’an
In a restroom
“Map”
I wish I’d taken note of where this sign is.
Funny Signs in China: Hong Kong
And where might that be?
No honking, or no bugles?
Be sure to declare all live animals caught while on safari before placing them in the overhead compartment.
In other words, for those not entitled to use the VIP lounge
Awful photo, great sign. The market stall owner chased me away as I snapped.
And, my husband’s favorite. He saw this in Beijing, if I recall correctly, and talked about it the rest of the trip.
When? Not if?
Yes, Adventures by Disney took to us classy places — the best of the best. Yet we found these giggles along the way.
