Beijing bikini ban returns as cities crack down on ‘uncivilised behaviour’

Beijing bikini ban returns as cities crack down on ‘uncivilised behaviour’

The so-called Beijing bikini, or bǎngyé, has once again been banned in parts of China, this time in an attempt to ‘improve the city’s image’ and tackle what officials describe as ‘uncivilised behaviour’. For the uninitiated, the Beijing bikini refers to the summer custom of men rolling up their T-shirts or shirts above the waist, or going shirtless, to keep cool. This practice is widespread during sweltering Chinese summers when temperatures reg…