Abstract:
Ever since its establishment as China's new province and largest Special
Economic Zone in 1988, Hainan has been at the cutting edge of Chinese
economic modernisation and openness to international influence. In this
process, lifestyles on the island have changed beyond recognition. One of
the most salient changes has taken place in the nightlife of urban residents.
Right after the establishment of Hainan Province in 1988, barrooms
(jiubajian), the [alang (a mini-brothel disguised as a barbershop), the
gewuting (cabarets with a whole range of services by girls) and karaoke
bars mushroomed along every street in major cities and towns on the
island. However, they were soon replaced or supplemented by a variety of
"health protection" (baojian) facilities such as saunas, bowling alleys and
jianshen meirong yuan (beauty and massage parlours). And, in more
recent years, teahouses have emerged to dominate the scene. The trajectory
of this development is not a simple matter of sophistication and is
therefore worthy of discussion.
