Visitors to the famous Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's
Gansu Province, are in luck, as they will be
able to enter at least five "special caves" free of charge during
its low season.
According to Liu Huilin, vice president of the Dunhuang
Research Institution, starting November 1st tourists will be able
to visit up to ten caves at Mogao Grottoes, including the five
newly opened "special caves," after paying just 100 yuan (about
US$12.5) for a standard entrance ticket. Usually, a visitor would
pay extra fees, ranging from 100 to 500 yuan per cave per person,
to view the more precious "special caves."
Even more exciting, the five "special caves" are not open during
peak seasons. Liu explained that the site averages about 4,000
visitors per day during peak seasons, and the humidity and heat
accompanying these crowds of tourists make it impossible to protect
the relics in these "special caves."
The special offer will last through the low season, lasting from
the beginning of November this year to the end of March 2007.
(CRI October 30, 2006)