As Chinese cities become ghost towns, some seek out the space

As Chinese cities become ghost towns, some seek out the space

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After making sure everyone's face mask is on and sanitizer is to hand, the Qiao family (below) heads out to Jingshan Park, a former royal sanctuary beside the Forbidden City in China's capital Beijing.

. Beijing, China. Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Mr. Qiao and his family take pictures at Jingshan Park.

Snow has fallen for a second day, a rare event in the city of 21.5 million that would normally bring hundreds of thousands of people out to take photos and play. But the streets are empty and the parks are so quiet the only sound is of birds chirping.

It's not just Beijing. Shanghai, China's financial hub, and other cities in the world's most populous nation have turned into ghost towns after the government extended a holiday and asked residents not to go out because of the coronavirus.

"We know the situation of the coronavirus is severe. But the epicentre is far away, so we think it should be fine here ... It's a God-given chance to enjoy this family moment with snow and without work," said Mr Qiao, who has an 11-year-old daughter.

. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A worker wears a face mask and carries cleaning material at a mall.

The epidemic had killed 722 people and infected nearly 32,000 in China as of Feb 8. More than three-quarters of the cases are in the central Hubei province where the virus originated - more than 1,000 km (620 miles) from Beijing.

. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman wearing a face mask walks through a shopping mall.

Only a few people are brave enough to come out. A security guard at Jingshan Park said they were less than a third of the number of tourists than usual, even with the rare snowfall.

Even at one of the best spots for snapping photos of snowy Beijing just outside the Forbidden City, there's barely a crowd, while the tour buses and groups of people speaking different dialects are nowhere to be seen.

. Beijing, China. Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman wearing a face masks takes selfies after snowfall outside the Forbidden City.

"Last year when it snowed, I took a few hours off work to come down here to take a picture and the crowd was several layers deep," said a man in his 30s who gave his surname as Yang.

"But this year, I am not at all worried about finding a space to take a photo. The virus is keeping people indoors."

. Beijing, China. Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Security personel wearing face masks patrol Wangfujing street.

Security guards along Wangfujing street, a popular pedestrianised shopping street in downtown Bejing, said it was normally so crowded during the holiday period that it was hard to to move around.

"Look at it now, there are more security guards and street cleaners than tourists!" said one of the guards.

. Shanghai, China. Reuters/Aly Song
Andrew, 24, and Lara, 25, drink at a bar in Shanghai. Lara, who is from Hubei province, said she's not afraid of the virus because she thinks the probability of catching it is very small.

Businesses, including shops, bars and restaurants, have been severely hit by the epidemic as the government has banned mass gatherings and even group meals in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"You would have to wait outside for a table in a normal day," said a waitress at a restaurant with more than 50 tables. Just five were taken at the peak lunch hour.

Only a handful of the more than 100 restaurants along Beijing's famous food street, Guijie, were open, and the remaining outlets are wondering how long they can hold out.

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People walk through Jianguomen subway station.
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

People walk through Jianguomen subway station.

People are seen in a shopping mall.
. Shanghai, China. Reuters/Aly Song

People are seen in a shopping mall.

A man looks at his laptop after having lunch at a restaurant.
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

A man looks at his laptop after having lunch at a restaurant.

“The city is quiet, because people stay at home and are not coming out," Mr. Guo, a delivery driver, said. “"Some customers cannot go outside because they are under quarantine, so they need us to deliver food to them".
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

“The city is quiet, because people stay at home and are not coming out," Mr. Guo, a delivery driver, said. “"Some customers cannot go outside because they are under quarantine, so they need us to deliver food to them".

People wearing face masks walk at a shopping mall.
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

People wearing face masks walk at a shopping mall.

A car drives along a main road in Shanghai.
. Shanghai, China. Reuters/Aly Song

A car drives along a main road in Shanghai.

"There was around 100-200 people who exercise here, now only about 20% shows up," Ms. Ren said. "I feel pretty safe. The air is clear and people are having protective measures", "When I go back home, I disinfect my shoes and take off my coat".
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

"There was around 100-200 people who exercise here, now only about 20% shows up," Ms. Ren said. "I feel pretty safe. The air is clear and people are having protective measures", "When I go back home, I disinfect my shoes and take off my coat".

A person wearing a face mask rides an electric scooter near bike-sharing bicycles in Beijing.
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

A person wearing a face mask rides an electric scooter near bike-sharing bicycles in Beijing.

A girl skates on an ice rink at a shopping mall in Beijing.
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

A girl skates on an ice rink at a shopping mall in Beijing.