Alternative subcultures, variance from the even now still powerful construct of mainstream values and lifestyles, are easily but rarely noticed in the rush of China's daily life. The liumang, a derogatory term meaning hoodlums, are generally people who live on the fringe, through either crime or a lifestyle focus on such avenues as music or dancing. They are best known through the works of novelist Wang Shuo, but equally represented in the scruffy musicians you'll find playing cover songs in any Beijing Expat bar. The other subcultural aspect to be examined here began to fascinate me when I went to the Nightman Disco in Beijing and was shocked to see male tranvestite go-go dancers on stage, stripping down to their padded bras. Homosexuals in China, like in the US, are subject to abuse and discrimination. Homosexuality is classified as a mental illness, and is "treated" by imprisonment and administration of electric shock. While attitudes towards the self-labelled tongzhi (the old Communist term for "Comrade," ironically) are loosening somewhat, most choose to lead double lives as normal working people during the day, and "coming out" only at night, at the evolving Chinese gay club nightscene.

Both of these are closely integrated with the other topics addressed at this page. Yaogun emerged out of, and is still based upon, the liumang subculture. The tongzhi clubs have developed out of, and remain an important part, of the night scene of clubs, bars, discos, even ballroom dancing, that provides entertaiment and release for millions of Chinese.

Individuality and "deviance" from the mainstream in China requires a great deal of courage, whether one is a slacker, gay, or student protester. Alternative subcultures are a more subtle but perhaps further reaching form of resistance that the student movements of 1984-85, 1987 and 1989, and are equally deserving of study.

This page will document the beginnings of my research on the above topics, which is currently in its infancy and restricted to web browsing, but will develop (I hope) after I leave for China in October. Links to tongzhi pages will be added shortly. Links to liumang information, well, there aren't a whole lot, since Chinese slackers rarely put up homepages in honor of themselves. I have, however, found some online information about liumang novelist Wang Shuo.

Wang Shuo

Wang Shuo Novels Entire text of three novels online. In Chinese

Wang Shuo - The Outsider Asiaweek feature on Wang Shuo 1996, including an interview that well reflects the liumang attitude.

Writers & Works - Chinese Culture LinksOnline archive of Wang Shuo's novels, stories, interviews, etc. Very comprehensive, has other writers as well.

Richmaond Book Reviews Review of Playing for Thrills by Wang Shuo. In English.

Playing for Thrills Yet another English language review of Wang Shuo's most recent novel

Excerpt from China Wakes , Kristof and WuDunn 1994.

Chinese Novels and Electronic Magazine including Wang Shuo

Another site of Chinese novels on line.

Tongzhi Resources

Increasing Acceptance of Homosexuality in China New York Times 2 Sept 1997

Cannes ‘97 "Dong Gong Xi Gong (East Palace, West Palace) Un Certain Regard China": Review of Zhuang Yuang's film about homosexuality in Beijing

Revolution by Stages Asiaweek, 7 August 1998 - Attitudes towards homosexuality in Asia changing, but slowly.

Silenced But Still Talking: China is too tame, says director Zhang Yuan Asiaweek 4 July 1997 - More on "East Palace, West Palace"

Gay Asian Compass - Articles and Links

CSSSMChinese Society for the Study of Sexual Minorities - Biweekly newsletter

Utopia: China Gay Resources and Travel Tips