Old Shekou

Cool murals on sides of buildings

 Dogs with shoes

Some have labelled them ridiculous and annoying, while others believe that they deserve their own time, space and respect.

They are the 'da ma' - women, mostly middle-aged or retired and freed from the constraints of work and raising children - who dance in public spaces around the country in the mornings and evenings. This group was in Old Shekou. We also had a group that met in front of our apartment building

Their hobby has hit the headlines as it has at times pitted neighbour against neighbour, and has also provoked widespread debate.

The da ma have been blamed for taking up too much public space and dancing in the wrong places, such as rail stations and highways.

The loud, amplified music they use has irritated neighbors, who have fought back in a variety of ways, such as using loudspeakers to drown out the "noise" and in some cases going as far as firing warning shots in the air.

In some areas, the fraught situation has led local governments to formulate laws to limit the times and locations of the dances.

 Locals drying meat in the alley