Popular tourist city offering free entry to students

A popular tourist city in Central China is offering free entry to scenic areas for students under the age of 19, Xiaoxiang Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

Cheng Danfeng, vice-mayor of Zhangjiajie in Hunan province, said the policy has been drafted and, once introduced, elementary and middle school students who present their IDs, such as student cards or passports, can visit the tourist spots in the city without paying the entry fee.

According to Zhou Zemeng, deputy director of Zhangjiajie's tourism administration, the policy will be carried out mainly in the city's two AAAAA scenic areas: Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Tianmushan National Forest Park.

Under the policy, student tourists can save up to 180 yuan at the two sites.

The announcement comes just weeks after another an ancient town in the province, Fenghuang, sparked outrage by introducing an admission charge.