China youth embrace strange stress-relief trend of touching buttocks of sheep

A peculiar trend has emerged among young people in China who are seeking stress relief – travelling to fields and livestock markets to touch the buttocks of sheep.

In June, markets in northwest China’s Xinjiang were crowded with tourists eagerly waiting to engage in the unusual practice, as sheep secured with nylon ropes stood in rows waiting to be traded.

As tourists walked past the animals, the sound of patting and laughter could be heard.

It transpired that many mainland social media posts have suggested visiting markets to touch sheep buttocks in Xinjiang.

A tourist shared on Xiaohongshu that the animals’ rumps feel bouncy and soft, and claimed that touching them is “incredibly addictive”.

In a video, a person is seen patting a sheep’s rear end and saying: “This is really stress-relieving.”