Elsewhere in the world, the youth are either out partying with friends, creating community-led third spaces, or dedicating themselves to the gym life. In Beijing, young residents are taking a classic carnival game out of the fairground and unleashing it on the city. The game is old, and it’s called tàoquān (套圈). You may recognize it as the traditional ring toss game where players lob hoops to win prizes. But instead of aiming for cheap toys or snacks at a night market stall, the kids are turning the city itself into a massive, free-for-all arcade.
Armed with 22cm plastic rings, these city-slick creatives are finding unexpected targets on the streets. Fire hydrants? Ringed. QR codes? Ringed. Security cameras and street signs?.. Ringed. What started as a quirky prank has blossomed into a viral phenomenon, challenging the usual fast-paced, hyper-efficient rhythm of city life.
It’s a lighthearted rebellion against the urban grind. By transforming everyday infrastructure into a playground, young people are forcing themselves—and onlookers—to slow down and interact with the environment in a totally new way. In cities that often feel alienating, this spontaneous game of street tàoquān offers a moment of pure, unadulterated “fun time.” It reminds us that sometimes, curing city numbness is as simple as tossing a plastic ring at a fire hydrant and seeing if it gets ringed.
All images via Xiaohongshu.
