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The "boyfriend-accompanied mountain climber" service costs 600-800 yuan per trip. Photo: Think China . |
Over three months, Xiaoya visited an amusement park in Chongqing, China, 10 times, just to meet "handsome" Bengbeng – a 1.88-meter-tall, muscular actor. He is an NPC (Non-Player Character), a term used in games to refer to actors who embody fictional characters and interact directly with visitors in real life, according to Think China.
Not content with just taking souvenir photos, Xiaoya was also hugged by the NPC, danced with, and had her personal stories listened to. Bengbeng often appeared in a loosely buttoned shirt, revealing his toned physique.
"He brings positive energy, always shows respect, and makes you feel safe and secure like a trustworthy older brother," Xiaoya said.
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A female tourist visiting the amusement park where Bengbeng works requested the "princess carry" service. Photo: Think China. |
NPCs with striking appearances like Bengbeng have been appearing more and more frequently in Chinese amusement parks over the past year. Many destinations are actively recruiting handsome male actors to attract visitors, providing close-up interactions to offer not only entertainment but also emotional value.
According to Bengbeng, one of the most popular requests is "carrying the princess," which applies to all visitors. During the peak of the festival, he can carry around 100 people a day, each time lasting 10-20 seconds.
The work is quite tiring, but the satisfaction of the tourists makes him feel it's worthwhile. For female tourists who are worried about their weight, Bengbeng often takes the initiative to reassure them, helping them overcome their insecurities.
Besides the "princess carry" service, many NPCs also offer themed interactions. Some characters role-play as "domineering CEOs," performing "wall-pinning" poses for tourists to take photos and videos . One NPC stated that they perform this type of interaction with up to 300 customers per day, mostly women.
Not only in amusement parks, but also at many climbing spots across China, "climbing companion" services are flourishing.
These young people offer services such as carrying luggage, taking photos, assisting with climbs, and even carrying visitors to the summit. Some even position themselves as "boyfriends for a day," providing emotional companionship.
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"Mountain climbing companions" can carry equipment, offer moral support, and even lift clients on Mount Tai. Photo: Douyin. |
Amid rising youth unemployment rates, jobs such as NPC or mountain climbing companionship offer new livelihood opportunities for many young men due to their decent income and low educational requirements.
Fang said he earns 600-800 yuan per trip, and could make over 10,000 yuan a month if he works regularly.
However, this model is also controversial. Some express concerns about ethical boundaries, the risk of harassment, and its impact on perceptions of love and marriage. Scholars argue that the issue needs to be approached with a clear conscience, rather than a complete ban.
According to Professor Song Geng (University of Hong Kong), in traditional contexts, women were restricted in expressing their individuality, but nowadays, this autonomy is gradually expanding.
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A muscular young man is hired as a "mountain climbing companion" on Mount Emei, China. Photo: Douyin. |
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Wu Changchang (East China Normal University) argues that the "host" economy in China began to emerge in the 1990s, but the level of intimacy in the service has increased significantly since then.
He argued that this is a form of "emotional commercialization," where men use their physical assets to gain economic benefits within certain moral boundaries, while women receive a temporary sense of security.
Despite increasingly open forms of interaction, Xiaoya believes boundaries remain important. She only met Bengbeng within the park grounds and did not attempt to contact him privately. She believes that women daring to express their personal desires is positive, but it must be accompanied by mutual respect.
Source: https://znews.vn/nen-du-lich-trai-dep-o-trung-quoc-post1613004.html
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