The Scariest Things in the City: Costume Ideas for Beijingers Living Through the Nightmares

Halloween is more like Christmas than some of us realize: Even as we feel that it's too early to start hoarding Christmas presents, we rush to buy corny mugs and gift coupons because the office gift exchange is tomorrow. And we do the same with Halloween costumes. How far in advance is it appropriate to start thinking about your outfit without seeming obsessive about it? If you're tired of being stuck with the dwindling reserves of 'sexy nurse' costumes you can always find at the last minute, this could be your year! Since we are total Beijing fangirls, this Halloween is all about our beloved city. This whole preparation is, of course, being made with fingers crossed that Halloween celebrations will not be foiled (as many other local happenings have been) in an effort to keep the city intact quiet and pristine for the Party Congress.

READ: Where to Buy Halloween Costumes for Kids
 

The Big Brickening of 2017

Ah, how many tears have Beijingers wept throughout the whole summer of 2017? We couldn't count, as our vision was clouded by the dust of hundreds of bricks spreading like a disease over our favorite hutong hangouts' doors and windows. While the wounds are still fresh and some cheeks are not yet dry, it's been said that laughter speeds up the recovery process. Grab this brick costume (minus the very tanned man) and be a socially active Halloween party-goer. For the full experience, study up by reading our extensive collection of articles about The Brickening and surprise fellow guests with your insider knowledge.
 

The Messenger

The dark messengers of the inevitable change have been making us shiver. The stack of bricks by the door was a sign of the approaching storm, but we dared to hope that we'd be spared. And then, the construction workers showed up, milling about, chain-smoking Zhongnanhais, and curiously inspecting the walls, windows, and doorways in the hutong. No, no, say it ain't so! We've met with a terrible fate, haven't we? To bring some serious fright into the weekend scare-athon, get a bright-colored workman's vest and complement it with a yellow helmet. To double down on spookiness, throw some makeup on and go as a zombie construction worker.
 

The Safety Warrior

We see them patrolling in the first rays of dawn and the last minutes of dusk. We see them in dark nights and the heat of summer afternoon. While they are so common in the city right now that we barely even notice them, they can still see, stop, question, and discipline you when you least expect it. Now YOU can make sure no one puts their feet on the table or throws trash on the floor by wearing the familiar bao'an uniform. No one will dare move a finger without checking in with you.
 

The All-Seeing Eye

Our current mood is clear: Beijing is dark and full of military, police, security forces, and volunteers. Never before did Beijingers feel so watched, and we're getting good at living in our little fishbowl (filled with twenty-something million fish, mind you). But these days, we're ever more aware that surveillance and control manifests sneakily all around you, through the most innocent-looking part of the community – grandmas and grandpas. While they may seem harmless with their dulcet coos of "Drink hot water" and "Wear more clothes," you should trust no one and watch your step. They are watching, and lying in wait for a chance to pounce and earn their government brownie points. For a quick fix of a sinister Beijing costume, order a bright red volunteer armband. If you feel like putting on a full show, help the elderly to climb up the stairs or take care of the drunk part of the party members. 
 

The One Who Risked it All

The nightmare of every Beijing expat in one costume: Whether the victim of a bar raid, a home visit, a street fight, or an overstayed visa, we all know the feeling of gut-wrenching fright brought on by just thinking about going to Chinese jail. While it is definitely an experience of a lifetime, it is also best avoided. Stories about no drinking water and no-phone-call policies while being locked in a windowless cell are circulating around the internet, and seems the perfect costume to strike fear into your friends during Halloween. This striped classic will never fail you and if it comes with an imprisonment story, the party is guaranteed to get a lot more chilling.
 

The Hero to Save Us 

While some dress as zombies, mummies, and other partially-dead figures, others treat Halloween as an opportunity to reveal their true selves. If scary is not your jam, look for the Jianbing Man costume and save everyone's night. This superhero movie came out back in 2015 but is anyone really sure about the Jianbing Man's superpowers? Extra-crispy lettuce leaf? Or maybe spiced-up dough to give you wings. Regardless, Jianbing has been the hero for Beijinger hungry ones for centuries and what better way to commemorate that is there than a superhero of the same name. P.S. you may be asked for jianbings so it would be wise to keep some samples in your back pocket.
 

The Bunhead

When the talk comes to food, it would be a shame to leave out the balls of fluffy happiness under the name of baozi. While not exceptionally scary, they are the butter to Beijing's bread. This outfit would be perfect for either someone who would rather not be recognized or simply wants to avoid conversation. The cold current autumn will for sure not be threatening to anyone wrapped in this soft cloud of baozi love. 

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Images: China News, Taobao