In Jiangxi’s Fuliang County, Yali Ancient Town Scenic Area has started implementing upgraded toll checkpoints around the ancient town from July 10, affecting the lives of local residents and businesses. This move has forced villagers to resist by using “ticket evasion tactics”.
According to several local netizens, the company has upgraded the fees for the ancient town, with some saying, “The company has raised the fees for the ancient town,” and “After working in the fields, villagers come back home to find that their houses belong to another company,” and even “Relatives have to buy tickets to visit our homes.”
Reported by Jímù News, this situation not only inconveniences villagers in their daily travel and visits but also impacts their livelihoods. Local businesses in the ancient town, including homestays and small shops, rely on tourist income, but the new fee policies have led to a sudden decrease in visitors.
On July 13, a homestay owner in Yaoli Village mentioned that the ancient village in Yaoli is the main attraction of the tourism area. Historically, visitors were welcomed into the village for free, with tickets only required for attractions like Chen Yi’s former residence and the Chen Clan ancestral hall. However, on July 10, the operating company suddenly set up checkpoints at multiple entrances of Yaoli Village, demanding visitors to purchase tickets. The entrance fee per person was set at 30 yuan, with a bundled ticket for the entire area priced at 110 yuan. Even people coming to visit relatives or friends were required to buy tickets.
The homestay owner pointed out that most villagers make a living by running small businesses or homestays in the tourist area, and with the peak tourism season underway, the new policies have adversely affected many businesses in the area.
He mentioned that in previous peak seasons, rooms were fully booked, but now the occupancy rates have plummeted, with inquiries from visitors daily about the necessity of purchasing entrance tickets.
A villager from Yaoli Village posted online, stating that they have attempted to communicate with the responsible tourism company multiple times but have yet to see any results.
Another villager posted a video showing the community’s disagreement with the fees, advocating for visitors not to buy tickets. In the video, villagers were seen guiding tourists to enter the village for free by directing them to a cement bridge further ahead, instructing them not to purchase tickets. Signs at the entrance of the scenic area indicated that visitors were allowed free entry.
The incident of villagers preventing the collection of entrance fees at Yaoli Scenic Area has garnered attention online. Many netizens expressed discontent, with some commenting on the negative impact of the operation, stating that it not only affects prices but also the various aspects of the villagers’ lives. Some expressed support for the villagers, emphasizing that the ancient town belongs to them and that their livelihoods should be protected.
In response, an employee of the scenic area’s operating company mentioned that they recently upgraded their management, which may have caused inconvenience to villagers in their travels and has led to a slight conflict with the villagers. Both sides are currently in communication to address the situation.