Hangzhou discount coupons too much of a hit

By Tom Qian  |   2009-3-3  |     ONLINE EDITION

AFTER a chaotic opening ceremony on Sunday the Hangzhou Tourism Commission will make another 10,000 discount coupon books available for Shanghai people who can order the books by phone.

On Sunday 30,000 books were handed out at the Bank of Hangzhou's two branches in the city but police had to be called after crowds turned the event into a melee.

Now Shanghai residents can simply call, reserve their coupon books and pick them up from the bank bringing proof of identity, according to the Oriental Morning Post.


Last week authorities in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, tried to distribute coupons worth 1 million yuan (US$146,274) at the Grand Gateway in Xujiahui area but this also resulted in overcrowding.

Hangzhou was handing out 135,000 coupon books worth 100 yuan each and valid until May 31.

The coupons are valid for 180 tourist venues in Hangzhou and nearby places like as Lin'an, Tonglu and Xiaoshan.