A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service

A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service

A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service

A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service

A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service

A chili pepper eating competition is being held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on July 2, 2016. Nine contestants who joined the match are asked to eat as many peppers as they can while soaking in a giant tub filled with the hot red chili peppers. The winner was awarded with a 24 karat gold pepper.Photo: China News Service