Summary of the Key Points
The Taishan Scenic Area spent over 25 million yuan to install 135 kilometers of barbed wire along the mountain slopes. The authorities claim this is for fire prevention, ecological protection, and to prevent tourists from using unauthorized paths, but netizens argue that it's more like “locking the mountain” in order to stop ticket fraud and maintain ticket sales. This tactic of using “safety/ecology” as a cover for charging has been seen in other scenic spots such as Hukou Waterfall and Qinghai Lake. In the long run, this approach will likely deter people from traveling and change the habits of a generation who enjoy getting close to nature.
1. Taishan’s “Barbed Wire Barrier” and Netizens’ Criticism
The Taishan Scenic Area has installed 135 kilometers of barbed wire that are nearly as tall as an adult and are sharp enough to cut skin and flesh. Wild animals that collide with them are either killed or injured. When photos of this were posted online, netizens compared it to the border of an enemy country, jokingly referring to it as the “border between China and Taishan” (a play on words referring to the Sino-Thai border).
The scenic area issued a public statement defending their actions, claiming that the wire only surrounds non-public areas and dangerous sections, without affecting normal visits. They also cited the Forest Law and Scenic Spots Regulations as justification for the measures, stating that it is for fire prevention, ecological protection, and personal safety. However, netizens see through this, arguing that it’s essentially locking the mountain off from visitors.
2. The Official Justifications: Plausible on the Surface, but Full of Flaws
The scenic area’s explanations seem legal on paper, but upon closer inspection, they are flawed:
- Fire Prevention? Just an Excuse: Fire prevention should rely on fire lanes, surveillance, watchtowers, and firefighters; barbed wire is not a proper fire prevention measure. Using barriers to keep people out only reduces the risk of human-caused fires, but it’s a case of using force instead of proactive patrols (a sign of poor governance).
- Protecting Against Pine Wood Nematodes? Ineffective: Pine wood nematodes are spread by beetles, which can fly; barbed wire is useless against them.
- Preserving Migration Routes for Wildlife? A Formality: The 135 kilometers of wire only has a few openings, so wildlife still cannot migrate freely.
- No Impact on Visits? Initially, the area admitted that the purpose was to prevent tourists from using unauthorized paths to avoid paying tickets. Although they later changed their statement, over 800 unofficial paths were blocked, forcing visitors to use the official routes and pay.
3. The Real Motive: The “Ticket Economy”
The real reason behind this expenditure is to protect ticket sales:
- The bidding documents claim it’s a “forest fire prevention project,” but in reality, it’s about stopping unauthorized access. The 25 million yuan comes from public funds, and while it’s labeled as a fire prevention measure, its actual purpose is to ensure ticket revenue.
- Similar examples are common: Hukou Waterfall built walls to force visitors to buy tickets, Qinghai Lake installed wire fences around the lake, Meili Snow Mountain constructed “privacy walls” to block views from roads, and Lugu Lake charges for access by car. All these use “safety/ecology” as a cover for charging.
- Removing the barriers would be problematic: It would mean admitting that the 25 million yuan was wasted (who would be held responsible?), and it would also allow unauthorized paths to reappear, potentially reducing ticket sales. Therefore, even though there is public criticism, the scenic area is reluctant to remove them.
4. The Deteriorating Visitor Experience
In the short term, this doesn’t significantly affect Taishan’s tourist traffic (given its popularity), but in the long run, it harms people’s desire to travel:
- Zijin Mountain is a prime example: visitors could climb freely before, but now with the barriers and restrictions, they have to find creative ways to enter. This has led to a decrease in the number of people who enjoy exploring the area on their own.
- Netizens’ sarcastic comments reveal the truth: “If they want to completely lock everything off, I won’t go at all; it saves money.” This isn’t true support for the measures—it’s out of necessity. Repeated restrictions and charges make travel experiences worse, gradually reducing people’s desire to travel.
- It’s similar to how people avoid answering unfamiliar phone calls: at first, it’s annoying, but over time, it becomes the norm, and it’s hard to change. Could this practice also lead to a culture where people avoid traveling altogether?
5. A Warning from the Barbed Wire
The barbed wire around Taishan doesn’t just enclose the mountain; it also limits people’s ability to connect with nature. Using public resources for profit is short-sighted:
- Scenic areas rely on ticket sales, but they shouldn’t sacrifice visitor experiences for money. Visitors are not mere sources of revenue; they are consumers who deserve respect.
- Regulatory authorities should also reflect on why these scenic areas can always use “safety/ecology” as excuses. Is there a connection between lax regulation and financial interests (e.g., telecom companies turning a blind eye to annoying calls because of high fees)?
- In the long run, this approach will damage the entire tourism industry. If people associate nature with expense and inconvenience, who will still want to travel? By then, no promotional efforts will be effective.
In summary, the mountain belongs to everyone, not just the scenic areas. Charging for access may bring short-term profits, but it sacrifices the long-term value of natural experiences. Visitors are not mere targets for profit; they are consumers with rights and needs that should be respected.