Take this China travel tip and save a life: In China, the Green Walk Signal actually means… absolutely nothing.
Unfailingly, in the two weeks I traveled through China, I would start to stride across the crosswalk, the Green Walk Light beckoning me calmingly forward… when suddenly: SCREECH! Four cars and two electric-powered bikes would come careening across the crosswalk and nearly plow me over, as if no walk signal existed at all!
I would take to screaming at them: “GREEN! GREEN, PEOPLE, GREEN! GREEN MEANS IT’S SAFE FOR ME TO WALK!” But this protest was akin to screaming at a pile of metal: useless.
In sum: Do NOT rely on the walk signals in China for safely, travelers! Maybe in the future the government will crack down on traffic laws, but for now, tell yourself that Green and Red signals mean the same: Proceed with a TON of caution.
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sandy yau says
WOW!!!! You should be more careful next time. China is really crazy. I’ve been there before. They don’t care about the walk lights. In China, the city is really busy and crowded. Many people come from the villages or hometown. They move to China to find a job to feed their family. You must pay attention and be careful next time!!
Lillie says
Will do!
Agness says
Nobody cares about the traffic lights in China. I ride my bike here every day and I pray not to be hit by a motorbike or lorry. It’s crazy!
Dave says
That is definitely a concern. Thanks for the heads up.
Fiona P says
They probably won’t crack down on the rules.
Ryan Sum says
Yep I remember that yep those were the days.
Sofia L. says
That is hilarious! I remember holding my mum’s hand and running across the street to go to another shop. I was literally screaming while running. People were staring at me and I swear to god my mum was embarrassed by my behavior. It was funny.
Joseph Mcadams says
That is crazy. I probably would have called the police, but if people do not observe walk signals correctly then, the police probably do not need to exist.
Raymond Wu says
Wow, that must have been really scary. If I was in thaat car situation, I would have been freaked out, too.
Susie says
That is really funny yet scary ! I’m glad your okay. I also wonder what those people you were yelling at thought of you ? They were probably looking at you and thinking ” Tourests these days ! ” Ahahaha. Well good thing to know if I ever go to China !!
Virginia Lei says
It’s a good thing you’re not hurt at least. When I went to China there were no stop or go signs; the cars will keep going. Until the light turns red you can cross quickly and pray that you’ll not get run over; seriously they don’t yield to pedestrians.
jun hao says
Really in Shanghai, the green sign seriously mean nothing at all?
tess O'Brien says
That’s so funny! I’ve never been to China. Was it fun? Was it hard to communicate?
Lillie says
Funny but also scary to almost be run over by a car! It was definitely hard to communicate, but it was also fascinating!
Jose Soto says
Looks like lots of fun. Did you go to the Great Wall of China
Lillie says
We did hike the Great Wall! Photos and story here: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2011/08/16/an-epic-hike-on-the-best-part-of-the-great-wall-of-china/
Jose Soto says
Lokks like lots of fun. Did you go to the Great Wall of China
Jose Soto says
Did you talk to people in China? If you did, how did you communicate with people there? I wish I can go to china some day because it sounds like you had fun.
Lillie says
Yes! Some of them spoke some English and for others, my friend translated.
Janssy Garcia says
If the sign doesn’t mean anything then why do they use it? Anyways thanks for the tip I’ll keep it in mind if I ever go there!
Yara says
This is so funny!!! Thanks for the travel tip.
Victoria says
Most of the places that I visited in China didn’t have any walk signals. It really was frightening crossing the street! I’m glad you made it alive! Hahaha!
Jason Zou says
In China, often , people don’t really care about the lights. The safest thing to do is to walk only when other people walk.
Qiyin Y says
That’s so funny!!! When I went back to china to visit, I was so confused. They used plates as a wastebasket and bowls as the American plate. In China, nobody follows the signals, they just jaywalk across. :D
Whitney says
We’re in Shanghai right now – I think the little green man just means that there will be a slightly reduced chance of being flattened! Luckily, 6 1/2 years of dealing with being a pedestrian in Cambridge/Brookline prepared me for this. People in Brookline won’t even stop in a crosswalk for pregnant women with strollers…good training for China!!
Chris says
I found the same in South Korea. It was more of a loose guideline than a rule. Same with zebra crossings.
John D. Wilson says
Yupper, suggestions only – it is suggested that you can walk – but not really.
It is suggested that the speed limit is x, but not really.
It is suggested not to pass around a curve, but not really.
LOL – traffic is dangerous in all countries.
Pedestrians beware where ever you are!.
Cheers,
John D. Wilson