A tourist spot in Central China’s Hunan Province recently declared that it will issue free tickets to female adults who claim they are virgins, as reported by the Chengdu Evening News on Wednesday.
According to the notice, the Zhouluo Scenic Area in Liuyang of Hunan Province will grant free tickets and gifts to female visitors who are over 22 years old and who claim they are virgins.
The notice has stirred up heated debate among Chinese Internet users. Most have expressed their disapproval with the way that the scenic spot has propagandized itself.
The sales director of Zhouluo Scenic Area, surnamed Xiang, admitted that giving away free tickets is part of their promotional campaign for the “Sweet Osmanthus Festival” held from September 17 to 25.
Zhou Lushen, marketing director for the Zhangjiajie Tourism Group based in Hunan Province, which manages the Zhouluo Scenic Area, said that the free tickets are a gesture of kindness towards the female community.
“We can’t afford to distribute free tickets to all women, so we had to single out a group to represent females,” Zhou said.
“Of course, we cannot examine women for proof of their viriginity, so we are simply trusting in their honesty,” Zhou added.