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)