Beijing Mushroom Vents

Vent poking out from a meridian

Beijing has gained a deserved notoriety for its unusual architecture.  So much so that President Xi Jinping made a statement a few weeks ago saying, "No more weird architecture."  That's right, the city that gave us the lovable pair of boxer shorts (CCTV Building) probably won't enjoy its title as the unusual architecture capital of the world for long, but its one to the few things we have going for us that isn't overtly humiliating.  Beijing boasts a long history of strange architecture dating back 1000's of years.  Some architectural feats are just more conspicuous than others. Longtime Beijingers might recognize one of the city's less prominent and more unique features dotted around the center of the city.  Beijing's Mushroom vents can be seen popping up in places from Dongzhimen to Fuxingmen.  The vents are usually green or red and often vent some sort of steam.  Initially I was unaware of the capital's fungus problem, but once you see one of the toadstools you start seeing them everywhere.  Most people rushing about their day don't seem to notice the Mario Bros.-esque toadstools, but I felt the need to share them with the outside world.  I have no clue what they are for, but if I had to guess I'd say they're vents for the Beijing Subway's Line 1 and 2.  Most are about the size of a grown man in height and wide at the top (like most mushrooms).  No one really seems to know much about them, and my extensive research (Googling the problem until it goes away) didn't turn up anything.  They seemed to be pretty old.  Some of the ones of Changan Avenue are discretely hidden behind metal casings, but its easy to still see the intact mushrooms underneath.  I hear that if you eat one you'll grow to twice your normal size.    

A mushroom from the 16th floor of a building

A mushroom chilling late at night