Water park raises weekend prices to prevent overcrowding

By Chen Qian  |   2008-7-3  |     ONLINE EDITION

POPULAR water park Dino Beach in Minhang District has increased its weekend ticket price from 150 yuan (US$22) to 200 yuan this summer to prevent overcrowding, Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

The number of visitors grows each year, park official Zhu Dawei told the newspaper.

"About 10,000 visitors came to the park on an average Saturday or Sunday last year. We hope the price rise can cut 10 to 15 percent of visitors on weekends," Zhu told the newspaper.

Weekday ticket prices will remain the same. The cheapest weekday ticket is 100 yuan per person.

The park has added an X-ray machine for security checks. All liquids including mineral water and shampoos must be opened for checks. Colored beverages are not permitted.

Jinshan City Beach started charging this year. Tickets range from 30 yuan to 50 yuan, the Jinshan District Coastline Development Administrative Committee said.

Sun Qun, vice general manager of the beach told the newspaper that charging admission will help prevent overcrowding as well as cover management costs during the peak season. Sun said the number of daily visitors exceeds 10,000 in the summer.

The beach is open from 8:30am to 8pm on Sunday to Thursday and from 8:30am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday. The ticket includes insurance.

Admission during the day is 30 yuan per person. Those who enter the site after 5:30pm or visit the beach on weekends and holidays have to pay 50 yuan. Students get in at half price. Those 60 or older, disabled people and children shorter than 1.2 meters tall can enter the beach for free.

However, a beach in Fengxian District has cut its night admission price from 80 yuan to 50 yuan this summer, the report said.

Public swimming pools are open from June 20 to September 10.