At 101, Chinese woman stays up till 2am and snacks on chips, sweets. Her longevity routine

According to local reports, Jiang Yueqin has developed a daily routine over the past two years that involves staying awake until around 2 am. (AI-generated image)

A 101-year-old woman from eastern China has attracted widespread attention online after details of her daily routine and health were shared publicly, highlighting a lifestyle that differs from conventional advice often associated with longevity.

Jiang Yueqin, who lives in Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, is the mother of seven children and is reported to be in good health despite her age. Notably, she retains all of her natural teeth and has never required dental treatment or dentures, according to a report in South China Morning Post.

According to local reports, Jiang has developed a daily routine over the past two years that involves staying awake until around 2 am watching television, before waking naturally at approximately 10am. After getting up, she begins her day with a cup of strong green tea.

Her daughter, Yao Songping, described her mother’s sleep pattern, saying: “My mum is just like a young person; she’s a true night owl. Despite her late nights, her sleep quality is excellent. She falls asleep within minutes of lying down. This routine only developed over the past two years.”

Yao explained that the change followed an accident in which Jiang fell and injured her hand, requiring surgery. During her recovery, the family discouraged her from doing household chores to avoid strain. With fewer daytime activities, Jiang began sleeping more during the day, which made it harder for her to fall asleep earlier in the evening. This gradually led to her current habit of staying up late watching television.

Jiang now eats her first meal later in the day, followed by dinner at around 6pm. If she feels hungry later in the evening, she eats snacks at approximately 9pm. Among her preferred foods is a local Wenzhou snack known as Matisong, a crisp pastry made from water chestnut. She also eats snacks commonly associated with younger generations, including crisps, shaqima — a traditional Chinese sweet made from rice — and dried sweet potato dates.

Despite her age, Jiang eats without difficulty. “She never breaks snacks into pieces. She simply pops them into her mouth and chews slowly,” Yao told wendu.cn.

For more than three decades, Jiang lived with her husband, surnamed Yao, in a home located in an old alley in Wenzhou. He died several years ago. According to accounts shared by her family, the couple were often seen walking together and sitting outside their home, a sight that earned them affectionate recognition from neighbours, who referred to them as “the most clingy couple in the alley”.

Asked about the reasons behind her mother’s longevity, Yao said: “Eating well, sleeping well, and enjoying a cup of green tea every day are all important. However, what truly matters is her mindset. She never holds onto anger or takes things too seriously. She doesn’t bear grudges. You could say she lives her life with extraordinary clarity and peace.”

The account of Jiang’s lifestyle and outlook has prompted discussion online, with users reflecting on the role of mental wellbeing in healthy ageing. One commenter wrote: “A positive mindset makes everything better.”

Another added: “The key is family harmony. If you don’t allow anger to affect you, you stay in a good mood and sleep well, which naturally contributes to a long life.”

A third commenter said: “Her secret to longevity is not dwelling on issues but learning to go with the flow. When problems arise, address what you can without resistance. If something is beyond your control, don’t force it. My elder is 94 and shares the same philosophy.”