Chinese farm owner Zuo Xiaoyong posted a job ad in late April seeking two shepherds to work on a 2,000-hectare pasture near Inner Mongolia, close to the Mongolian border [1, 2, 3]. The shepherds would care for 3,000 sheep during the summer grazing period and then do indoor feeding and cleaning in winter, when temperatures drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius [1, 2].

The monthly salary offered was 8,000 yuan, above the national urban average private company salary of about 6,000 yuan [1, 2]. Despite harsh working conditions, more than 700 people applied for the two positions by late May. Applicants included university graduates, factory workers, and white-collar employees from Shanghai, Chongqing, and other cities. Around 10% of applicants had recently graduated from university [1, 2, 3].

The ad went viral on social media platform Weibo, garnering approximately 59 million views and generating over 21,000 discussion threads within hours [1, 2, 3]. Zuo said he did not expect the overwhelming response and noted, "It seems ordinary people are having a hard time finding work" [1]. He added, "The salary is high, but whether you can work long-term and get through the winter is what matters most. This is not tourism" [2].

Applicants expressed frustration with intense work hours and harsh conditions in their current jobs, citing China's widespread '996' culture of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. James Guo, a 21-year-old factory worker and applicant, said, "You have no idea what it’s like to work more than 13 hours a day, fastening screws until your hands are swollen and covered in blisters, without even having time to go to the bathroom. The workload is too intense, I can’t take it anymore" [1].

China's official unemployment rate stood around 5 to 5.2% in 2026, though youth unemployment for those aged 16 to 24, excluding students, was reported at 16.9% as of March 2026 [2]. The shepherd job post highlights challenges facing workers seeking better wages and conditions outside urban centers.

The viral posting has remained active on Weibo since late April. As of May 28, the farm continues to review applicants for the two available shepherd positions [1, 2, 3].