An Australian woman has gone viral after detailing her month-long stay at what she describes as a Chinese “fat prison” — a strict weight-loss facility where participants are monitored, controlled and not allowed to leave without permission.
TL Huang, an expat living across Japan and China, signed up for the 28-day program in Guangzhou after gaining weight and struggling with routine while travelling.
Although she agreed to go, she quickly realised she had entered an intense environment with rules more like military boot camp than a wellness retreat.
The camp is surrounded by tall walls, steel gates and electric fencing, with guards stationed at the entrance 24/7.
According to Huang, no one is allowed to leave unless medically required — and she says “sneaking out is impossible.”
Dorm-style living meant sleeping on bunk beds with strangers and sharing facilities, including squat toilets, in cramped quarters.
“You’re not allowed to leave, every day is regimented and controlled,” she said online. “The gate is closed 24/7.”
The strict daily routine included:
- Mandatory weigh-ins every morning and evening
- Up to four hours of exercise a day
- Carefully monitored meals
Meals were small but healthy and featured items like prawns and vegetables, steamed fish, duck, and braised chicken.
Huang documented how she had to weigh her own food to track calories, something she described as exhausting but eye-opening.
Three weeks into her stay, Huang became seriously ill with the flu and a 39°C fever.
She was so weak she couldn’t continue exercise and had to be taken to hospital — marking her first time outside the compound in weeks.
“It’s not fun anymore,” she captioned one update.
“I am sick and miserable and have no energy.”
Despite the setback, she returned determined to finish the program.
China has seen a dramatic rise in obesity, with more than half of adults overweight and that number expected to grow.
In response, the country has developed a network of commercial and government-linked weight loss camps, sometimes called “fat prisons” by participants.
People from across China — and even overseas — pay hundreds of dollars to attend.
Huang spent around $600, which included food, accommodation and training.
Huang says she lost 6kg in four weeks, but claimed the real benefit was rebuilding healthy habits.
She made new friends, ate better, and got into a routine she had lost during constant travel.
Although the workouts were intense, she said instructors were not harsh, and participants could rest if needed.
Leaving the facility felt “liberating,” she shared — and she insists she has no regrets.
Her videos sparked thousands of comments — and mixed emotions.
Supporters applauded her discipline:
- “You’re an inspiration!”
- “You’re investing in yourself and it shows.”
Others were worried for her well-being:
- “This cannot be healthy.”
- “You’ll gain it back unless you train four hours a day forever.”
- “Your body needs more fuel!”
Huang agrees the experience isn’t for everyone.
She encourages others to research facilities before signing up and choose programs with proper supervision.
“You need to be mentally ready,” she explained.
“It’s a first step. It’s not about how much weight you lose — it’s the habits and routine you build.”
After leaving the compound, Huang says she now walks more, stays active, and pays attention to her diet — all habits she hopes to keep for life.
