Ancient Chinese tower tests classic literature buffs (2)

CULTURAL STANCE?

Classrooms around China require senior high students to recite part of the prose, which lauds the magnificent view from the tower initially built in 653 AD and laments the author's unfulfilled ambitions.

Many contestants in this May Day initiative have been classic literature lovers from across the country. Though often not first-time visitors to the historic site, some were here simply to demonstrate their support for the activity.

The free-ticket policy has also triggered heated online discussion, with many netizens praising it as benefiting tourists while promoting culture and literature.

"If this is called a sales gimmick, then I would call for more such gimmicks," commented "Blockhead and Grumpy" on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

The largely favorable online opinions were in sharp contrast to the barrage of criticism against surging ticket prices and vulgar promotion at other tourist sites. Many complain that the country's tourism boom has turned into a gold rush often at the expense of culture and taste.

The good news is that more Chinese scenic spots are now seeking long-term development by digging their cultural gold, rather than exploiting tourists using commercial chicanery, according to experts.

During the three-day May Day holiday, Qufu City in Shandong Province, which is known as the hometown of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, also opened several cultural sites free of charge to tourists who can recite at least 30 lines of the Analects of Confucius.

"Such activities are essentially sales promotion measures, but they also help bring out the cultural essence of the scenic spots, and are thus conducive to their long-term development," said Wang Donglin, professor of cultural history at Jiangxi Normal University.

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