$16,000 splash to be washed emperor-style

At a time when officials have been told to rein in lavish spending and banquets, one man has taken decadent pampering to a whole new level by splashing out 100, 000 yuan ($16,045) to be bathed like an emperor. The Shanxi man, whose identity will probably not remain unknown for long, bid the obscene amount of money to be the first guest at a new bathing center in Shangtang township, Henan province, on Feb 2, 2013. Faux concubines and eunuchs clustered around him, giggling and feeding him bananas as onlookers and media snapped images of the event in a province littered with poverty. It was reported at the beginning of the month that a number of migrant workers blocked the entrance to the new bathing center claiming they were owed unpaid salary for construction. The move and event attracted widespread criticism online. [Photo by Wang Zhongju/ Asianewsphoto]