Content provided by British Council
[1] A famous tourist site in eastern China now has a time limit for taking photos. The rule was introduced to address a common complaint: long queues for pictures at popular sites. The Huangling Scenery Zone in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi province, set this rule in August. Workers hold a timer near a major attraction, giving each visitor one minute for photography, as reported by state media CCTV.
[2] This location has become an “online-celebrity spot”. It is famous for its stunning views of mountains and historic houses. You can also observe traditional farming activities here, such as crops being dried in bamboo baskets. When a visitor’s time is up, staff politely ask them to step aside for the next person. There is no time limit if there are few tourists, an unnamed manager said. But the area is popular, and many people wait to take photos. The rule becomes necessary to keep order.
[3] A tourist posted on social media that the staff helped take photos and suggested poses, which made it a great experience. Another added: “This photo time limit should be adopted at all tourist sites in the country.”
[4] Tourists arguing over photo opportunities have frequently gone viral in China. Some visitors have been known to spend up to half an hour on photos at a single spot.
[5] Last August, a viral video showed a woman at Gulangyu Island’s “most beautiful corner.” She posed at the wall in various positions for a long time. This drew criticism from dozens in line. But the woman defended her photo session, saying, “Your time is none of my business. I’ve waited long to reach this spot.”
[6] The tourist site in Jiangxi is not the only place with time limits. Longzhuashan Park in Shandong province introduced a 30-second photo limit at its Black Mountain Eye last year. “We kept tourists in mind when designing this rule,” park manager Zhang Guoyin said. He explained that no one should miss the chance to photograph the breathtaking natural landscape.
[7] Internet users across China have had mixed reactions to the time-limit rules. One person said it is important for managing situations, while another added that it is inconsiderate to take over a spot for long periods. Others noted that strict limits may not suit elderly or disabled visitors. They said that tourist sites should offer more convenient, humane services.
Source: South China Morning Post, September 4
Content provided by British Council
