During a public hearing in Beijing earlier this week, many Beijingers voiced their opposition to a possible pirce hike at some world heritage sites including the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. 
 
After being listed as World Heritage Sites, tourist attractions in Beijing including the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs submitted an application to have their ticket prices increased. A public hearing was held this week to present the reasons for the price hike and listen to opinions from citizen representatives.

The proposed price increases range from 10-200 percent. For instance, in the busy season, ticket prices at the Summer Palace change from 30 to 80 yuan, about US$3 -10. And tickets for the Forbidden City may rise to 100 yuan, or US$13 from the current 60 yuan. When informed about the possible price increase, some Chinese tourists voiced strong opposition.

"100 yuan is too high for a ticket."

"It's unreasonable. I am from the countryside. I come to Beijing and want to have a look at those famous tourist sites, but can't afford the ticket."

The average income of China's rural population is around 2 thousand yuan per year, and the soaring prices in tourism may burst their dream of making a visit to many of the capital's scenic spots.

However, the tourist sites believe higher prices could help protect from damages caused by heavy tourist flows, demonstrate the value of world heritage and make up for a lack of maintenance and upkeep revenue. Another issue raised was the gap between the prices of these parks and those in other parts of China.

But from the results of a latest online survey by Chinese Central Television, Chinese residents don't seem to buy their reasons. One third of the surveyed don't believe a higher price would help present the real value of a place of interest. And another one third believes the current prices already provide sufficient funds for the protection and renovation of the buildings.

Why these disagreements? Law professor Ma Huaide from
Beijing based China University of Political Science and Law believes the main reason lies in the lack of public transparency when prices are set.

"The important points for a public hearing include how to guarantee the hearings are fully open, transparent and scientific, while allowing arguments and debates between business operators and consumers. The first side should show relevant financial reports to the public hearing so that objective judgments can be made by the public."

The final pricing decision is yet to be made, but before Beijing, other places including Suzhou, a cultural city near Shanghai, has raised ticket prices at many of its tourist attractions. 

(CRI December 4, 2004)