One Mountain, Several Tickets: Paying Your Way Up in China — Epoche A2
At a famous Chinese mountain, the entrance ticket is only the first thing you pay for. The park bus, the cable car and sometimes a boat are each sold separately, and the board at the gate lists them all with their prices. What must I buy? The entrance ticket, always. Very often the park bus as well: private cars are not allowed on the mountain road, so the bus is the only way in. What is optional? The cable car. You may walk instead — but the road from the gate can be many kilometres, and at the end of it the climbing has not yet begun. Single or return? Ask before you pay. Many visitors ride up and walk down, and then half of a return ticket is wasted. Is anything cheaper? Students and older visitors usually pay less at the entrance. Carry your card or your passport. Confucius said that the wise delight in water and the good delight in mountains. He did not mention the ticket board. Read it slowly before you queue. It saves the argument that begins halfway up, when your legs are tired and the last cable car has gone down without you.