
In China, mules occupy an interesting place, combining traditional utility and economic role. Here are some important aspects about mules in China:
1.History and Traditional Use
Mules have been used in China for centuries, primarily as draft and pack animals, especially in mountainous and rural areas. Their hardiness, endurance, and resistance to harsh climates made them valuable assets for transporting goods. They were especially prized on trade routes, such as the famous Silk Road, where they could traverse rough terrain while carrying heavy loads.

2. Regions with a High Mule Population
Rural and mountainous regions, such as Yunnan, Sichuan, and the Tibetan Plateau, still use mules, although their importance has declined with mechanization. In these areas, mules remain important for agriculture and transportation, especially in places where modern vehicles cannot access.
3. Economic and Agricultural Role
In China, mules are often crossbred to produce animals that are hardy and suitable for agricultural work. Crossbreeding between local donkeys and horses is done to improve certain characteristics such as strength and endurance. Local markets sometimes include specialised fairs for the mule trade, although demand has declined in the face of motorised alternatives.

4. Modernization and Decline in the Use of Mules
With rapid urbanization and agricultural modernization, the use of mules has declined in favor of tractors and other agricultural machinery. However, in remote areas or among nomadic populations, they retain a functional role.
5. Culture and Symbolism
Mules do not have a strong symbolic presence in Chinese culture compared to other animals such as the horse or the dragon, but they are often associated with perseverance and quiet strength. In some local traditions, they represent a transitional animal between the old rural world and the new modern world.

6. Ecology and Tourism
Some tourist areas in China, such as trekking areas in Yunnan or near sacred mountains, still use mules to transport trekkers' luggage. They also play a role in more environmentally friendly farming practices in communities seeking to avoid over-reliance on machinery.
An article on the Figaro
7. Consumption
In China, pork dominates consumption, followed by chicken and beef. Mule meat is rarely consumed, as mules are mainly used as working animals for their hardiness and endurance, with no associated culinary tradition.
8. Animal protection
In China, the treatment of mules varies by region and usage. Traditionally used for work, they can be well treated or suffer from neglect, especially in poor rural areas. The mule industry'eijao, although focused on donkeys, could indirectly affect them, raising concerns about animal welfare. Awareness is growing, but animal protection laws remain limited for working animals. Their welfare depends mainly on owners and access to adequate resources.
In China, mules are rarely used for leisure or as pets, being primarily considered working animals. However, some mules in rural areas may receive loving care. The growing interest in equestrian recreation may include mules, but horses and donkeys remain favored. Mules as companions remain very unusual.

On the image bank Alamy you can find many photos there
Source
Michel CARTIER. 1993. «La Marginalisation des an ». Annales de la Société Zoologique de France 69 (2): 151-158. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/az1993n2a6.pdf.
Commentaires