Sichuan sugarcane farm turns “real-life game” as visitors pay to ‘steal’ crops at night

CHINA: A sugarcane farm in Meishan has become a viral destination after launching a night-time experience that allows visitors to “steal” sugarcane for a fee. According to local media, the activity has been described as a real-life version of the classic online game “Happy Farm”.

Pay if caught, pay less if you escape

Farmers open their fields after dark and invite participants to sneak in and cut stalks. Those who are caught must pay about US$2.20 per stalk, while those who successfully evade capture pay around US$1.37.

To enhance the atmosphere, the farm uses volunteers acting as NPCs — non-player characters — along with dogs that assist in “patrolling”.

The organisers said the aim is to provide a mix of fun, suspense and affordability, attracting young visitors looking for novel rural experiences.

Trend first seen in Zhejiang

The idea gained traction earlier in Zhejiang’s Shaoxing city, where a farmer named Wang Yonglong opened his fields for a similar “self-service sugarcane stealing” activity.

His farm quickly became a popular night-time stop, with groups arriving armed with torches and peeling knives to try something many described as a childhood fantasy.

Trust between farmers and visitors

Although the activity is framed as “stealing”, participants willingly pay, and farmers say the system works on trust. They stress that there is no need for tight supervision because visitors respect the rules.

Commenters said the appeal lies in the sense of playful rebellion and a return to simplicity.

For many urban residents, the event offers a brief escape from rigid city routines and a chance to reconnect with nature in a light-hearted way.