December 21 marks the end of the world, according to the ancient Mayan calendar. Panic buying of candles and other items has been reported in China, as well as other incidents. A farmer in Hebei Province built an "apocalypse-proof" escape pod that he unveiled Tuesday. Another man in Chongqing has reportedly spent the past two years spending all his money under the belief the world will end soon, while seven people were recently arrested for spreading doomsday fear using megaphones at a fair in Fumin county, Yunnan Province. Do you believe the world is about to end? How do you plan to survive? Wu Xueting hit the streets to find out.

Gyula Benda, sports coach, Hungary

I can't say whether I believe it or not, but I hope to spend my last day with my girlfriend if it is the end of the world. We met in Nepal, where I taught her paragliding. I hope if the world ends I can spend my last day in Nepal kissing my girlfriend as we paraglide.

Kazuki Nakayama, exchange student, Japan

I don't believe in the doomsday. Actually, maybe it's more accurate to say that I don't want to believe it. But if I have to face the apocalypse, I think I would spend it with my family. We would enjoy my mother's cooking. My parents, sister and I would sit around watching TV. Most importantly, I would tell them how happy and grateful I have been throughout my 21 years of life, and that I love them.

Ying Chen, college freshman, China

I don't know if December 21 is the last day of the world, but if it is I will leave the world with so much regret. I have had a poor relationship with my father since I was young. Our relationship improved slowly after I enrolled at college, but two months ago he had a serious stroke and has remained unconscious ever since. I have spent every minute of my spare time with him. On December 21, I'll join my mother in the hospital to tell him how much we love him. If it is the end of the world, I hope he wakes up beforehand and tells us that he loves us, too.

Alicia Link, physician, US

I don't believe in the doomsday. I believe there will be a day of judgment, but nobody knows when it will be because no one knows God's will. Even if December 21 is the end of the world, I will live life as normal. Since we don't know whether or not we will all lose our lives, I'll try and save as many lives as I can.

Jennifer Zhang, café owner, China

I don't know if it will happen, but I guess it will be more exciting than terrifying that all people on Earth die on the same day. At least it's better than dying alone and unknown, right? If there is a last day for the world, I will offer my customers free coffee all day.

Ralf Schmitt, engineer, Germany

I don't believe the doomsday, nor do I fancy [2009 disaster movie] 2012. But I think I would hack as many people's computers as possible. I would make their screens show the sentence: "Tell your family members you love them." I think that's what we should all do before we die.