"Ancient" Town "sold down the river"

[Randy W]

An ongoing topic - click here for Most Recent Post

from the Global Times

Selling a town down the river

Quote

The inn is located in Fenghuang county, a popular tourism town in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, but these days only half the rooms in the inn are booked.

The reason is as clear as the spring skies. On April 10 local authorities began charging entry to Fenghuang town, prompting a backlash among the businesses there.

The number of guests decreased sharply, Yang told the Global Times, after the government together with a travel corporation started forcing visitors to buy a 148 yuan ($23.97) ticket.

. . .
 

The local government only has a 49 percent stake in Fenghuang town, so both profit and revenue is shared with the private companies that have bought shares. In details provided to the Global Times by the press office of the county government, for each ticket sold for 148 yuan, 131.27 yuan will be used for overheads.

This was broken down into individual costs, such as 73.64 yuan for "operating costs," and 23 yuan for "development costs.

 

"Ancient" towns are big business in China these days.

Edited January 3, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[dnoblett]

Call it a tax without calling it a tax.

[NickF]

Sort of like a day ticket to Disney World minus the rides.

[Randy W]

Oops - forgot the link - http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/775701.shtml#.UW-cIqL-FtZ

[Randy W]

Some pictures from our trip in 2010 (we beat the price increase)

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/gallery/album/655-fenghuang/

 

 

 

[Randy W]

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[Randy W]

Huangyao, in Eastern Guangxi, is an ancient town in its more natural state. It was used as a setting for the movie The Painted Veil, starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.

 

The top picture is from the movie. The lower one is one that I took when we were there.

 

 

[Randy W]

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[Randy W]

from TheChinaTrips on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/2358098751081249/posts/3362661767291604/

Quote

There is an ancient border town in Hunan, China. Its name is Fenghuang Ancient Town. It is built on the mountain, facing the river, and the houses are mostly made of wood. Do you know what ethnic people live here?

Edited January 3, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

again from TheChinaTrips on Facebook

Quote

#GlamorChina Fenghuang Ancient Town, situated in Central China's Hunan province, becomes even more charming after a fresh rain.

https://www.facebook.com/191347651290/posts/10158475778691291/

Edited January 3, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)