9 Times Asia Was Way Ahead of the Curve

Asia is home to nearly 60% of the Earth’s population. This continent is the birthplace to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, like Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization as well as ground-breaking inventions such as gunpowder and paper-making. Even today, Asia never ceases to amaze us with its technological and social innovations which, to a Westerner, might seem like something out of a futuristic sci-fi film.

At Bright Side, we absolutely love learning about all the interesting things happening around the globe. This time we have made a list of extraordinary things from Asia that we hope you will enjoy.

1. Japanese square apples

Japan is famous for turning our mundane reality into something truly wondrous. Apples, which are a very traditional fruit, have been cultivated for millennia but few people know that square apples exist. They originated in Japan, where they use molds to grow apples into square-shaped fruits. It is believed that by growing apples this way, they are protected from diseases and insects. Apart from having a unique taste, the end result is very aesthetically pleasing and looks absolutely fabulous in desserts and baked goods.

2. Valentine’s Day for single people

If you are single but don’t want, in the words of Céline Dion, to be all by yourself on Valentine’s Day, you should visit South Korea. There is a separate celebration, known as Black Day, for those who are single, which is observed on April 14 every year. On this day, Korean singles gather together to forget about their loneliness and console each other about their lack of romantic relationships and eat a black bean noodle dish known as Jajangmyeon.

3. Japanese square dogs

Japan seems to always be taking things to the next level and they always get it right. It also looks like Japan might be a little bit obsessed with geometry. A few years ago, a new trend emerged in the land of the rising sun where dog owners were grooming their pets into perfect symmetrical cubes. It probably seems somewhat strange and eccentric to the casual observer, but we hope the dogs are enjoying this fashion fad as much as we are!

4. World’s first forest city

China is also known as a country that does things differently and often tries new radical things. Have you ever considered moving out of a big metropolis to be somewhere closer to nature? This new city in China is a dream come true that combines the best of both worlds. Liuzhou, the first forest city in the world, has been designed with sustainability in mind.

To fight environmental pollution, every single building will be covered in plants and trees. It is believed that they will be able to absorb 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide, whilst producing 900 tons of oxygen a year.

5. Snail facials

If you are into beauty and skincare, there is a new wellness craze in Thailand that we want to tell you about. Now instead of eating escargots at a fancy French restaurant, you can get a snail facial for just $30 if you are into trying new things and feeling adventurous. According to the experts, the procedure will make your skin softer, firmer, and might get rid of small wrinkles. Time to book a flight to Thailand?

6. Public napping

In most places in the world, sleeping in public is frowned upon and is often associated with homelessness. You might have guessed already, things are often a little bit different in Japan. Sadly, a lot of Japanese people are chronically sleep-deprived. That’s why they even have a concept for public napping known as inemuri.

Japanese people are legendary for their dedication and strong work ethic (which often borders on workaholism). It is no wonder that after a 60-hour work week, taking a power nap has become a genuine form of art, whether during their commute to work, in a coffee shop, or during their lunch break at work. Wouldn’t it be nice if public snoozing was more acceptable in the rest of the world?

7. First robot doctor

The first robot doctor in the world, Xiaoyi (which means “little doctor” in Chinese), has recently successfully passed a medical exam in China. It was developed to help human doctors treat patients more effectively. It sounds like the plot of a fantastic film but it’s not. The robot scored 456 points — 96 points above the required passing grade!

8. Blue apple jam

If you want to jazz up your usual breakfast, look no further than this insanely delightful blue apple jam. With its clear blue color, it is hardly surprising that it has quickly become an internet sensation. Made in Japan, its distinctive color comes from a plant grown in Thailand known as anchan, or butterfly pea.

9. Floating doughnut boat in Singapore

You can enjoy a fun day out in Singapore dining out in the open waters. Luckily, you don’t even need to own a private yacht! All you need to do is rent a floating doughnut boat. Available to couples and groups alike, it is a quirky and enjoyable way to spend a marvelous time together that will certainly become a beautiful long-lasting memory.

What cool things do you know about Asia? Please let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share our article!

Have some cool photos or stories and want to be featured on Bright Side? Send them all right HERE, right now. We’ll be waiting in the meantime!