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On his last night in Chongqing, Powell Lumor explores Ninth Street, also called Canyon Town, and meets travelers from several countries. He discusses the Chinese green-hat taboo and his experience as a Black solo traveler, including frequent staring and different beauty standards. Clubs such as ESMI and Red Cat are loud, so he prefers talking with people on the street. The night brings a crowded party scene as well as conversations about his time in China.
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Street conversations on Ninth Street
Powell Lumor spends his final night in Chongqing on Ninth Street, also known as Canyon Town. The street is crowded with local people and international travelers, and he speaks with visitors from India, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. The conversations range from travel mishaps to cultural differences. Powell explains the green-hat taboo: in China, a green hat can imply that someone’s partner is unfaithful. He recalls that he had worn a green suit before learning what the color could suggest.
He also talks about traveling through China as a Black man. Frequent staring and different beauty standards can make the experience challenging, but he describes pushing through the initial culture shock as rewarding. His discussion focuses on his own experience and the conversations he has during this night.
Clubs and the street scene
Powell visits clubs including Kim Bao, ESMI and Red Cat. The music includes Afro beats and Chinese pop, and the volume makes conversation difficult inside. He finds the street outside more comfortable for meeting people and hearing their stories. The crowds on Ninth Street are the largest he has seen during his trip. The final night combines club visits with informal conversations in a busy public area, giving Powell a chance to reflect on nightlife and his solo journey in China.
The street setting matters to Powell because it allows him to hear people and keep conversations going. The clubs he visits are so loud that people have to shout, while the sidewalks on Ninth Street offer room to meet travelers from different countries. He discusses beauty standards and the attention he receives as a Black man, speaking from his own experience rather than making a claim about every visitor. One conversation recalls an unusual Tai Chi incident on a flight, another of the travel stories he shares that night. By the end, he reflects on the freedom of traveling alone and the way this crowded final evening brings together local nightlife and visitors’ experiences.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the most surprising cultural thing you learned in China?
- A: Powell learned about the green hat taboo: in China, wearing a green hat can suggest that a person’s partner is unfaithful. He says he had been walking around in a green suit before he knew about the association.
- Q: What is the nightlife like in Chongqing?
- A: Powell describes Ninth Street as very crowded and energetic. The clubs are fun, but the street outside is where he finds the conversations and atmosphere he prefers.
- Q: What is it like to travel through China as a Black man?
- A: Powell says the experience can be challenging because of frequent staring and different beauty standards. He also says that pushing through the initial culture shock feels rewarding.
