Violations in Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve

20 15 10 5. At the entrance of the West Lake National Nature Reserve in Dunhuang, Gansu Province (hereinafter referred to as the "Reserve"), a huge red advertising arch reads: 20 15 The Second Populus euphratica Festival in Dunhuang West Lake. A red tent and two tables form a temporary toll booth, and the staff are busy counting red hundred-dollar bills: see Populus euphratica per person 150 yuan, and see the wetland per person 100 yuan.

This national nature reserve, which is inhabited by a variety of national first-class protected animals, is being enclosed for tourism development: a company called Dunhuang West Lake Ecological Adventure Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "West Lake Company") uses off-road vehicles to transport tourists one after another to the reserve, charging fees but not providing invoices.

The staff of Dunhuang West Lake Ecological Adventure Tourism Development Co., Ltd. said that they charged the fare and there was no entrance fee for the scenic spot.

Dunhuang West Lake Ecological Adventure Tourism Development Co., Ltd. has submitted the procedures for quality evaluation of tourist attractions to the Tourism Bureau for many times, but the application was not approved because the scenic spot is located in a national nature reserve and close to Yumenguan, which has become a world cultural heritage.

The main investors of Dunhuang West Lake Ecological Adventure Tourism Development Co., Ltd. also admitted that the company has been in trial operation since 20 12, and stressed that they charged the fare.