The Unpredictability of Life in China

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack talks about three amazing stories from China.

The Traffic Jam That Lasted for Days:

In August 2010, a massive traffic jam occurred on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, stretching for over 62 miles (100 kilometers) and lasting for an astonishing 12 days. The congestion was primarily caused by a combination of ongoing road maintenance, an influx of heavy trucks carrying supplies to Beijing, and a surge in holiday travelers. The gridlock became so severe that some drivers were stuck in their vehicles for days, and roadside vendors took advantage of the situation by selling food and water to stranded motorists.

The Building that "Walked":

In the city of Changsha, there was a bizarre case where a large building, dubbed the "Walking Building," was seen to move over the course of several days in 2015. The 12-story building was being demolished to make way for a new development. However, the construction workers reportedly didn't follow the approved demolition plan, and instead of collapsing in one piece, the building leaned precariously and appeared to "walk" a few meters each day, causing concern among the local residents. The authorities later intervened and demolished the building safely.

The Panda Escapade:

In 2019, two adventurous pandas at the Beijing Zoo made headlines when they managed to escape their enclosure. The two pandas, Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, took advantage of a door that was accidentally left open and went exploring outside their designated area. Videos and pictures of the pandas wandering around the zoo went viral on social media, capturing the hearts of people worldwide. Fortunately, the zoo staff swiftly responded and managed to coax the pandas back into their enclosure without any harm.

China's vast size, rich history, and rapid modernization have led to a wide range of interesting and sometimes unbelievable events that have made headlines both nationally and internationally. These stories showcase the diversity and unpredictability of life in the world's most populous country.

Email: atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Website: https://atozenglishpodcast.com/quick-tok-13-3-more-amazing-stories-from-china/

Social Media:

Threads

https://threads.com/invitation/34520051596/RLLHXJPPFMTFXUHE5NSUT6OLMUSSLEJBUI227Z6DXCO2XVBOWQCK7N4U

A to Z Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcast

Tik Tok:

@atozenglish1

Instagram:

@atozenglish22

Twitter:

@atozenglish22

Check out the Free Online English Lessons YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8A

Donate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donations

Robin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7A

Become a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670

Learn English by listening to our podcast. Each lesson has an interesting topic that will help you improve your English listening skills. You can also comment on the episodes in our Whatsapp group or send emails to our email address atozenglishpodcast@gmail.com.

Join our WhatsApp group here: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7

Check out Jack’s course books here:

http://www.darakwon.co.kr/books/listProduct.asp?pc_id_2=7&pc_id_3=29

Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Free

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/