16:07, March 07, 2008

In order to protect Zhouzhuang, an ancient township located 30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou, in east China's Jiangsu Province, the local government has decided to limit the number of tourists, according to Xinhua Net.
Over the recent decade, the number of tourists visiting Zhouzhuang has grown each year. In 2007, there were 350 million tourists. Sharp increases in tourism places pressure on the environment, tourist admission and the protection of historic sites in Zhouzhuang.
The local government has adopted two measures to limit tourists. The first is to adjust the industrial structure, and transform and upgrade tourism-related industries so as to unaffectedly decrease tourism. The second is to build a 33.3-hectare wetland park that would mimic the ecology of a Chinese water township; and both demonstrate ancient township culture and reduce the number of tourists visiting the original scenic spot.
The local government plans to reduce the number of tourists by 50 million people (annually) less than last year, to 300 million people annually.  By People's Daily Online