"Indians Came? I Won't Go"... Chinese Jjimjilbang Sees Sales Plunge 90%

Boycott After Indian Customers' Visit...
Racism Spreads in China
Business Explains "Disinfection Completed as Required,"
But Sales Plummet Regardless

After a video featuring three Indian customers praising their experience at a luxury jjimjilbang in Harbin, China, went viral online, Chinese patrons began boycotting the facility en masse, leading to a reported 90% drop in sales within a week. Unfounded claims about poor hygiene and a wave of racist reactions have been spreading among Chinese internet users.

According to Chinese local social networking services on November 24, three Indian men working for foreign companies in China recently visited a well-known luxury jjimjilbang in Harbin and shared a video online recounting their experience. The facility is popular among both tourists and locals, as purchasing an admission ticket allows free access to the bathhouse, drinks, fruit, ice cream, and various other services.

Review of an Indian Person's Experience at a Luxury Jjimjilbang in Harbin, China Posted on Chinese Social Media. Online Community

In the video, the Indian customers toured the facility and praised its services, and the video quickly spread online. Contrary to expectations, however, the jjimjilbang’s sales plummeted immediately afterward. Some Chinese customers protested, claiming that “Indians have poor hygiene,” and stopped visiting the facility, saying it was “unusable” after the Indian guests’ visit.

The jjimjilbang explained that, following the visit by the Indian customers, they carried out all standard hygiene procedures, including changing the bathwater, sterilizing the facilities, replacing bedding sheets, and disinfecting with ultraviolet light. The company also stated that the Indian guests used the facility quietly and even folded their towels before leaving, demonstrating a mature sense of civic responsibility. Nevertheless, sales reportedly dropped by around 90% in a short period.

Some Chinese internet users have pointed out that such behavior is clearly racist, but the majority of public opinion continues to express discriminatory views, perpetuating the prejudiced notion that “Indians bathe in polluted rivers.”

Meanwhile, China and India have a long-standing history of conflict due to repeated border disputes in the northern Kashmir region, resulting in deep-seated animosity between the peoples of both countries.