Bare necessities

For Chinese naturists, finding a public space that is naturally secluded is always a challenge. Photo provided to China Daily

"Anyone who went skinny-dipping while on an overseas excursion is basically a naturist," he says. Likewise, nobody knows how many naturist groups China has because none has been officially registered.

In online forums, there are many groups with a proclaimed interest in naturism. But Fang explains that most of them only talk about it. Nothing will come out of it, he says.

A few would organize meetings, not the clothing optional type, but fully dressed, for more talks about the possibility of arranging something. Out of those, a very small fraction may truly do something like the autumn getaway described above.

Fang Gang, whose recent book on naturism is the first in the country to tackle the phenomenon, argues that existing Chinese laws do not make this kind of public nudity illegal.

The most frequently cited law says: Anyone who molests others or intentionally exposes oneself in a public place and causes bad consequences will be subject to detention of more than five days but less than 10 days.

Fang interprets it as a law which targets exhibitionists who expose their private parts to harass another person.

"Naturists care only about their own state of dressing and do not intend to target any outsiders. They do not have an object for violation," he says.

As a matter of fact, China's naturists go out of their way to avoid what they call the "textile public". That is why it is so troublesome for them to find a natural enclave where they can rest or play sports stark naked.

Usually when a naturist bumps into a non-naturist in the wilderness, he will cover himself with his backpack and let the other person pass. The clothed person, who might be startled, ideally understands what’s been encountered and moves on.

It only becomes a problem when the police or media get alerted, says Fang. The cops may come and drive away the naturists if it is a regular hangout; or the media may report on it, eliciting derision and outcries from the public.