Gui da qiang (China)

Gui da qiang is a supernatural phenomenon in which people are trapped in a place by a malicious entity. Victims often find themselves walking in circles in a familiar location, making it unlikely for them to get lost under ordinary circumstances. Those affected frequently report losing a significant amount of time while trying to escape; what feels like only a few minutes to them turns out to be several hours in reality.

While the behavior of walking in circles resembles how disoriented people would typically act in the wilderness, there is a sinister nature to the gui da qiang phenomenon. The term “gui da qiang" roughly translates to “a ghost erects a wall.” It is also sometimes referred to as “gui zhe yen,” meaning “a ghost covers one’s eyes,” suggesting that the disorientation and illusions are caused by paranormal influences.

Read more about gui da qiang in Ghosts, Spirits and Paranormal Entities from Asian Folklore and Mythology (Book 1).