Title: Are Restrictions on Bringing Food into Tourist Attractions Legal? Tourists Speak Out

By: Zhao Li and Ma Ziyu

“Only food sold by the vendors at the park is allowed, but we can’t bring our own snacks,” lamented a visitor in a recently shared video. The footage shows staff stopping would-be hikers from carrying their food up the mountain, citing a heavy cleanup duty due to litter left behind, including chicken feet and sunflower seed shells.

This incident has sparked widespread debate online. Many commentators argue, “Why not just be upfront about it? Their intention is clearly to force visitors to buy from the park.” Conversely, some support the park’s actions, pointing out, “Many visitors leave trash behind after eating, which adds to the strain on staff,” and “Some even pour juice and soup on the ground, harming the rare trees in the area.”

The issue of whether parks can prohibit outside food is not new. Several tourist spots across the country have implemented similar restrictions, often citing environmental concerns as justification for rules prohibiting carrying instant noodles or providing hot water.

Experts note that the trend of restricting tourists from bringing their own food highlights widespread anxiety over the increasing commercialization of these attractions. While the rationale for such policies often involves environmental protection, it is crucial for parks to transparently explain these regulations and balance environmental considerations with the needs of visitors. When conflicts arise, tourist spots should promptly address visitors’ concerns to enhance their service.

Due to Environmental Concerns

Recently, the Yading Nature Reserve prohibited visitors from bringing instant noodles due to fears of polluting water sources, which ignited a public discussion. A video showed park staff halting a visitor from making their own noodles while a sanitation worker casually dumped leftover soup on the grass.

The reserve later confirmed that both the sale of hot dry noodles and the improper disposal of waste depicted in the video were indeed true. To improve the situation, the park committed to offering free hot water and designated areas for waste disposal.

Public records reveal that many parks have made rules against visitors bringing food or consuming instant noodles, citing environmental protection. In early 2019, a student, Wang, faced a bag check and was stopped from bringing snacks into Shanghai Disneyland, which led to a legal challenge asserting that the park’s rules were unconstitutional. The case was settled with both parties reaching an agreement, prompting Disneyland to revise its policies, now allowing visitors to bring non-heated food and beverages.

In 2023, visitors voiced concerns regarding restrictions at Huangshan Scenic Area against providing hot water for instant noodles. After a public outcry, the management clarified that while they do not prohibit bringing instant noodles, they encourage against cooking them on the mountain due to the potential harm caused by littering and waste.

According to the guidelines for Beijing Universal Resort, safety considerations and potential disruptions to others’ experiences lead to a ban on hot-prepared foods, such as instant noodles and self-heating meals.

Visitors have shared that the cost of food within these parks is a significant factor driving them to bring their own. Many indicate that high prices or lack of decent dining options make outside food an appealing alternative.

Qi Xiaobo, Chief Engineer at the Tourism Research and Planning Design Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, points out that regulations like prohibiting instant noodles frequently arise from complaints about inflated prices of park food, often several times higher than typical retail prices. According to consumer protection laws, individuals have the right to choose their goods and ensure fair transactions. Thus, if parks use these restrictions to coerce visitors into purchasing overpriced food, this could amount to unfair trade practices.

Liu Simin, Vice President of the China Future Research Association’s Tourism Division, echoes concerns about excessive commercialization in many tourist spots. While rules are often justified on ecological grounds, they can be perceived as disingenuous, especially when parks concurrently sell similar items at high prices. This discrepancy undermines the credibility of claims about environmental protection and exacerbates visitor dissatisfaction and distrust.

When considering whether parks can impose food restrictions, it is important to draw a line between significant public attractions and those of ordinary importance. Notably, places with unique cultural or natural significance should enable visitors to bring food and water as basic needs. However, in sensitive areas, such as inside the Dunhuang Caves, strict behavior management is necessary to safeguard the heritage.

There is a clear call for parks to balance visitors’ rights and environmental conservation, as highlighted by Liu Simin. For ordinary theme parks, the dynamics are straightforward; they operate on market principles, allowing consumer “voting with their wallets” if they disagree with park policies.

High Food Prices

“I often spend half a day at a park and have no choice but to buy food, sometimes for $30 or $40 without feeling full,” shared Beijing resident Qin. As a fans of self-driving tours, he struggles to understand why parks limit hot food options. “Some only allow snacks like bread, but after a long hike, I definitely want something warm. Isn’t it about pushing patrons to spend more inside?”

Investigators have found that exorbitant food costs mostly drive the negative sentiment surrounding these restrictions. Reports show that a hot dry noodle dish for 22 yuan within the Yading reserve sells for just 8 yuan outside. Guests at a restaurant in the Zhuhai-Chimelong resort complex paid around $30 without being satisfied. Similarly, visitors to a wetland park in Inner Mongolia were shocked to find ice pops costing 10 yuan each instead of 3 yuan.

Past examples include Shanghai Disneyland’s scandalous $30 ice cream combo, which sparked social media outrage. In response, management defended the pricing, noting that amusement park food tends to have higher pricing structures, suggesting the public consider other, more reasonably priced options.

So, should parks be allowed to set their own food prices? Central University of Finance and Economics law professor Zhu Xiaofeng explains that, aside from a few categories like critical public services or monopolized resources, prices should generally be determined by the market. However, businesses must provide fair and legally sound pricing based on production costs and market supply.

Qi Xiaobo points out that higher food prices in parks reflect the premium charged for unique experiences. Though the market enables some pricing flexibility, it should still align with laws to maintain fairness. Visitors facing exorbitant charges can advocate for their rights through complaints.

Enhancing Dining Service Quality

With parks continually facing scrutiny over food pricing and restrictions, the question is how to resolve these disputes. An innovative approach has emerged from Henan’s Laojun Mountain Scenic Area, which successfully introduced a “One yuan lunch.” Reports indicate that during a busy holiday period, the stand attracted visitors lining up for cheap meals funded by the honor system.

According to Qi Xiaobo, addressing dining concerns in parks requires focusing on two areas: first, involving visitors through surveys and clear communication regarding established rules; and second, ensuring that the pricing of food, lodging, and souvenirs reflects market dynamics while considering consumers’ rights.

Liu Simin reinforces the call for equitable pricing at parks deemed irreplaceable and public in nature. Such venues should permit essential items and ensure reasonable food costs. Firms must impose strict penalties for violations of public order or environmental regulations, balancing all interests through thoughtful management policies.

Zhu Xiaofeng advocates increasing food service quality within parks, ensuring they offer diverse, fairly-priced options that satisfy various tastes. Moreover, parks should allow for the consumption of self-prepared food in designated areas and improve facilities to manage waste efficiently.

Noting the importance of maintaining the environment, he emphasizes that visitors must also play a part in responsible waste disposal and contribute positively to maintaining the beauty of these sacred spaces.