Rather than slowing down and taking it easy, China’s aging population has a zealous passion for life and having fun, whether they are in their early 60s or late 90s. They are taking over the parks and public spaces, such as Fuxing Park in Shanghai, and adapting them to their needs. From 7am every morning, every corner of the park is a hive of activity, with people using the spaces in a variety of ways. On benches around the park people can be found catching up with friends and playing mahjong or knitting, while others are hosting what I gather is a Chinese local opera “jam” session. In another part of the park I have found an entrepreneurial 70-year-old who has built his own mobile Karaoke studio, which has attracted a big crowd of wannabe singers as well as several couples who are using the music to practice their dance moves.

Other areas of the park have been transformed into an outdoor health club, with people queuing to have their blood pressure checked, while others practice Tai Chi, play badminton over flowerbeds or write calligraphy on the paving stones. However, just around the corner on Nanchang Lu, a full outdoor gym can be found nestled between two apartment blocks. This equipment has been introduced by the national government to public spaces across China over the past five or six years as a reaction to the growing aging population in China. It is specifically designed for older people, being simple to interact with, with no complicated weight settings, and suited to this generation’s preference for exercising outside. The popularity of such equipment has been helped by the fact that many people do not have health insurance, and, as they get older, are keen to look after themselves and their health so that they do not become a burden on their families.