It’s a tradition that dates back hundreds of years, where two stallions fight over a female to ring the Chinese new year. And when it’s the Year of the Horse, the fights are considered to be even more significant. They’re held in small villages across southern China and have been condemned by animal rights groups, including Hong-Kong based Animals Asia. But those who participate in the events defend the fights and insist they take care of the animals.

Low economic conditions in China’s urban areas have sparked an increase of beggars faking disabilities in an attempt to gain more money. Cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong are littered with naive tourists who are more than willing to hand over a few yen to anyone appearing to be handicapped in anyway.

Two visitors take pictures of autumn leaves at Rikugien Garden Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in the Bunkyo district of Tokyo. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

Vietnam's Pham Hong Anh in action during her single dance final during the Southeast Asian Games' DanceSport competition in Mabalacat, Philippines, December 1, 2019. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

In this Tuesday, August 27, 2019, file photo, a climber stops to take pictures of clouds while climbing towards the summit of Mount Fuji to watch the sunrise, in Japan. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/File)

Children play inside China's first official Hello Kitty restaurant in Shanghai, China, April 9, 2016. Mainland China's first official Hello Kitty-themed restaurant has opened its doors to customers in Shanghai, serving a variety of food with the famed kitten character’s designs. Hello Kitty Bistro Bianco comes after the opening of Hong Kong's official Hello Kitty restaurant last year and the Hello Kitty theme park in Zhejiang province. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

A life-size interactive inflatable sculpture of Stonehenge called “Sacrilege 2012” by English contemporary artist Jeremy Deller on display as part of the “Inflation!” exhibition curated by Mobile M + on April 24, 2013 in Hong Kong. The inflatable artwork is one of six on display as part of the exhibition which is open from April 25, 2013 until June 9, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Hromas)

Giant panda Ying Ying rests on a rock in its enclosure while a visitor takes a selfie at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, China, 24 September 2020. An An turned 35 in August. Giant pandas in the wild can live up to 20 years on average, while lifespans of those under human care can reach over 30 years. (Photo by Jerome Favre/EPA/EFE)