The newly emerged climbing companion service at a renowned mountain tour site in China is facing scrutiny due to the significant physical contact between male service providers and their female clients.
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Videos that have circulated on mainland social media since August depict young, muscular men, hired as climbing companions on Emei Mountain in southwestern Sichuan province, carrying women patrons in various positions – such as in their arms, over their shoulders, or on their backs.
Additionally, viral clips show these companions performing massages on customers’ legs while the patrons are seen in short skirts, according to reports from the news outlet The Cover.
In the past two years, mountain climbing companion services have surged in popularity across China. These companions, who operate as freelancers rather than being organised by the mountain tourism authority, are typically men in their 20s, while their clientele includes young children, women, and elderly people.
Many argue that this service is essential, as companions not only lighten the load by carrying bags but also provide crucial “emotional support,” encouraging climbers to persevere when they feel fatigued.
Emei Mountain ranks among the most popular mountains in China, with its peak reaching 3,079 metres above sea level and a hiking trail measuring 27km in length.
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A man named Yang reported that he and his climbing companion team have assisted over 1,000 individuals in climbing Emei Mountain over the past year.
