A hearing on the price hike for entry into the world natural heritage site, Zhangjiajie national forest park in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is located in central China’s Hunan Province, will be held at the end of this year. 

An official with the Zhangjiajie municipal government says the reason of price hike is to better protect the world natural heritage site. The entrance price is currently 158 yuan, or US$18, plus two yuan for insurance.

Voice from visitors: visitors are deeply concerned about the price hike, and want to express their opinions.

"It is too expensive to be accepted!" Many visitors have previously visited Zhangjiajie. One tourist said she only paid 70 yuan, or eight U.S dollars and fifty cents, for a five-day tour in 1981. Now she has to pay more than 700 yuan. She says she won't accept the price rise, and won't visit the site because it is too expensive.

"Though I have never visited there, if the price getting higher, I do not think I can afford that expense".

A taxi driver says that all the visitors should clearly know the reason for the price hike, and that the government should honestly publicize how they plan to use the money.

Many travel agencies also think that this price hike will discourage many lower income people from visiting the site. But they also believe the price hike will gradually fade out of the visitors' mind.

Meanwhile, Gulangyu Island in Xiamen city, Fujian province southeastern China, is the focus of arguments about whether tour operators should introduce new fees for visitors to the island.

A ferry trip, costing three yuan, will go to the island, but visitors who want to go onto the island will have to pay another fee. These are in addition to the entry fees for some special attractions.

Many people think that if the price hike occurs, Gulangyu Island will not be attractive any more. It's said their may impact on the development of Xiamen's tourism industry.

(CRIENGLISH.com December 8, 2004)