Why This Chinese City Has Been Nicknamed “The Eastern Amsterdam”
The Chinese city of Dongguan has earned the nickname “the Eastern Amsterdam” for its huge underground sex trade and expansive red-light districts.
From the World’s Factory to China’s Capital of Sex
Dongguan, a city in southern China in the heart of the Pearl River Delta, has had a mixed reputation. At one time, Dongguan was considered “the world’s factory” and was a shining example of China’s economic miracle. It became the centre of the country’s huge manufacturing industry, churning out cheap shoes, toys and clothing with the ubiquitous “Made in China” label.
However, Dongguan soon gained the undesirable title of the Capital of Sex. At its height, between 500,000 and 800,000 people—some 10% of the city’s migrant population—were employed in the sex trade, according to the South China Morning Post. As home to the country’s largest red-light districts, Dongguan was soon dubbed the Eastern Amsterdam.
Although prostitution is illegal in China, the world’s oldest profession flourished in correlation with the booming manufacturing industry. In 2012 and 2013, the city was better known for rampant prostitution than manufacturing, and it became a hotbed of vice, even spawning the phrase “Dongguan-style”, a term commonly used in prostitution circles.
In 2014, authorities finally started to crackdown on the sex trade, and 6,500 police raided almost 2,000 venues. However, such was the enormity of the sex industry that economists estimated the crackdown would wipe out some 50 billion yuan ($8 billion USD), or one-tenth of the city’s annual revenue, from the economy, which would include slowed transactions for businesses, such as hotels, shops and restaurants.
Rather than disappear, it seems the sex trade was pushed further underground. Many of the estimated 250,000 sex workers who were working before the crackdown are now forced to work underground and are exposed to greater risks.
The City Where Men Have Three Girlfriends
Many local manufacturing bosses in Dongguan prefer to hire female workers, who they consider more reliable. As such, there is a population disparity, with 89 men for every 100 women, according to The Independent. This has created a polyamorous subculture whereby it’s considered normal for men to have several girlfriends at once.
Dongguan’s Future
After an economic slump and losing out to other neighbouring cities on the manufacturing front, Dongguan is said to be undergoing a high-tech rebirth. As part of the Made in China 2025 campaign, city leaders plan to transform industry, develop smart manufacturing, and become a centre for robotics manufacturing for artificial intelligence and other high-tech electronics. However, it remains to be seen if the city will ever be relieved of the shadow cast by the notorious sex trade.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
