From Chinese Press

Tourism, a tranquil affair

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-11 08:00

During the National Day holiday, the Palace Museum in Beijing received more than 460,000 tourists in five days, far beyond its maximum capacity. Overcrowding and cacophony marked the five days. In contrast, the Taipei Palace Museum doesn't ever present such a scene, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

It's not hard to imagine how crowded the Palace Museum in Beijing is when more than 100,000 people visit it in a day.

The noise created by so many people alone is enough to drive anyone crazy and make a visit to the historical site a suffering rather than a joy.

The Taipei Palace Museum offers a contrast.

A person visiting it will see the staff walking slowly holding a board with "Quiet Please" written on it to remind tourists to keep their voices low.

Everyone queues up at the entrance to get an earphone to receive the descriptions and historical accounts from the guides.

So even when a lot of people visit it, the atmosphere inside is tranquil, because people, including guides, talk in whispers.

This contrast reflects the difference in management philosophy at the two historical sites.

It is clear that tourist attractions on the Chinese mainland such as the Palace Museum in Beijing are in urgent need of a new management style to create a quiet and refined atmosphere.

If the authorities at such tourist attractions do not learn crowd management, it will not only create a disturbing atmosphere for visitors, but also damage the precious relics housed there.

(China Daily 10/11/2010 page9)