Famous Tourist Spot Restroom Occupied by Homeless... Chinese Authorities Investigate Following Appearance of '10,000 Won Usage Voucher'

Labor Day Golden Holiday in China
Over 100 Million People Travel on Second Day
Crowds Cause Chaos

China's famous tourist destinations are struggling during the Labor Day Golden Week holiday (April 29 to May 3). Guests who could not find a place to stay resorted to sleeping in public restrooms, causing disturbances.

According to China's 'CCTV' on the 1st (local time), the second day of the Labor Day Golden Week saw tourist spots across China crowded with visitors. The media reported that a total of 52.31 million people used roads, railways, waterways, and air travel the previous day.

According to Chinese authorities, 58.27 million people traveled on the first day of the holiday alone. In other words, over 100 million people dispersed to various parts of the Chinese mainland over two days. This is believed to be the result of pent-up revenge travel sentiment bursting out all at once after the Chinese government's end of the 'Zero COVID' policy.

A guest who could not find a place to stay for the night sitting on the bathroom floor. [Image source=Weibo]

On social networking services (SNS) within China, absurd anecdotes caused by crowds at tourist sites are also being shared. At Huangshan in Anhui Province, one of China's representative famous mountains, it was reported that a large number of guests crowded into public restrooms.

A video posted on 'Weibo' (China's version of Twitter) on the 30th of last month shows dozens of men sitting or lying on the narrow restroom floor trying to sleep, while an announcement plays saying, "If you want to sleep here, you must not inconvenience others using the restroom."

Regarding this, the Huangshan management office told the media, "These are people who could not make hotel reservations and missed the timing, so they are spending the night in the restroom."

Authorities controlling the crowd at a shopping mall in Hangzhou, China. [Image source=Weibo]

In Dunhuang, Gansu Province, where desert experience tourists gathered, a 'camel-only traffic light' appeared to manage traffic. Chinese media 'Jiuxinwen' explained that it was "for the movement of camels and tourists."

As tourists flocked in, controversies over price gouging also arose in various places. According to the media, at one tourist site, a report was received that ticket sellers were selling 'restroom usage rights' for 55 yuan (about 10,000 won), prompting authorities to launch an investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.