China strips over 100 A-level scenic spots of ratings in 22-province crackdown
At least 22 Chinese provinces have revoked or downgraded ratings for over 100 A-level scenic spots in 2025, with Anhui, Inner Mongolia, and Hainan taking action in September alone. The crackdown targets "zombie" attractions that ceased operations, falsified data, or failed to maintain standards. Industry data shows the number of A-level spots grew 37% from 2019 to 2025, while average revenue per spot fell roughly 20%. Some local governments have proactively applied for delisting, signaling a shift from preserving designations to improving quality.
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China's A-level scenic spots face mass delistings as tourist expectations shift
This article analyzes the recent wave of A-level scenic spot delistings in China, where multiple provinces including Anhui, Inner Mongolia, and Hainan have revoked or downgraded the ratings of dozens of scenic spots in 2026. The author notes that the number of A-level scenic spots in China has grown to nearly 17,000 by 2025, a 37% increase from 2019, while total tourism revenue grew only 9.5%, leading to a roughly 20% decline in average revenue per spot. The article attributes this to a regulatory tightening under updated national standards implemented in March 2025 and a shift in tourist demand away from traditional ticketed attractions toward experiential, immersive travel. It highlights cases such as the Huaining County Peacock Flying Southeast scenic spot, which was found to have provided false data. The piece argues that the delistings reflect a necessary market correction, where scenic spots must offer genuine service quality and local cultural experiences rather than relying solely on their official rating to attract visitors.
Read sourceOver 20 Chinese provinces intensify delisting of A-level tourist attractions in major cleanup
A sweeping crackdown on China's A-level tourist attractions is underway, with at least 22 provinces delisting over 100 such sites in 2025. The article reports that provinces like Anhui, Inner Mongolia, and Guangxi have taken aggressive action, including canceling or downgrading ratings for dozens of attractions. Key reasons cited include long-term operational failures, data fraud, and debt defaults, with some sites having been effectively closed for years. The article notes a critical shift: some local governments are now voluntarily applying for delisting, moving away from the previous 'lifelong honor' mentality. Experts quoted warn that the industry suffers from a 'heavy application, light operation' culture, and that the low historical delisting rate (1.38% in 2024) has allowed 'zombie' attractions to persist. The central government has signaled further tightening in 2026, with specific 5A-level sites like Zhangjiajie and Lijiang being warned. The analysis concludes that a major industry shake-up is beginning, aimed at improving quality over quantity.
Read sourceOver 20 Chinese provinces intensify delisting of A-level scenic spots, signaling industry cleanup
A growing number of Chinese provinces are aggressively revoking or downgrading A-level tourist attraction ratings, marking a significant shift from the previous 'only-in, no-out' system. Since early September 2025, Inner Mongolia, Anhui, and Hainan have taken action, with Anhui canceling six 4A-level ratings in one of the most severe crackdowns to date. Nationwide, at least 22 provinces have delisted over 100 A-level scenic spots in 2025. The crackdown targets 'zombie' attractions that have ceased operations, falsified data, or failed to maintain standards. Industry data shows that while the number of A-level scenic spots grew from 12,402 in 2019 to 16,994 in 2025, average revenue per spot fell from 4.06 million yuan to 3.26 million yuan. Analysts attribute this to a 'heavy on application, light on operation' mentality. Some local governments are now proactively applying for delisting, a move experts say signals a necessary shift toward quality over quantity. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has warned of continued intensified oversight and potential further delistings in 2026.
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China's A-Level Scenic Spots Face Mass Delistings as 22 Provinces Crack Down on 'Zombie' Attractions
A sweeping crackdown on China's A-level scenic spots is underway, with at least 22 provinces delisting over 100 attractions in 2025, according to a Tencent News analysis. The article reports that Anhui province led the charge in September by canceling the ratings of six 4A-level scenic spots, including the Kongque Dongnan Fei (Peacock Southeast Flying) scenic area, which was cited for providing false information and data fabrication. Inner Mongolia followed, canceling or downgrading 12 A-level spots. The report attributes the mass delistings to a long-standing industry problem: while the number of A-level scenic spots grew from 12,402 in 2019 to 16,994 in 2025, average revenue per spot fell from 40.65 million yuan to 32.63 million yuan. Experts quoted in the article, including Professor Wang Qun from Anhui Normal University, argue that many attractions became 'zombie scenic spots' that prioritized obtaining the prestigious rating over ongoing maintenance and service. The article notes a key shift: some local governments, such as those in Anhui, are now proactively applying to have underperforming spots delisted, moving from a 'protect the brand' to an 'actively remove' mindset. The report warns that a major industry 'reshuffle' is imminent, citing a 2026 directive from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism to intensify quality reviews and delist non-compliant attractions.
Read sourceOver 20 Chinese provinces intensify removal of A-grade scenic area designations
A major cleanup of China's A-grade scenic area system is underway, with over 20 provinces delisting more than 100 scenic spots in 2025, according to an analysis by East Money citing the National Business Daily. In September alone, Inner Mongolia, Anhui, and Hainan provinces revoked or downgraded multiple A-grade designations. Anhui's move to cancel six 4A-grade scenic spots was described as the most severe such action in recent years, with some sites found to have provided false information or been non-operational for years. The article notes that the number of A-grade scenic areas in China grew from 12,402 in 2019 to 16,994 in 2025, while average revenue per site fell from 40.65 million yuan to 32.63 million yuan, a decline of over 20%. Experts cited attribute the problem to a 'heavy on application, light on operation' mentality, where many sites treat the designation as a lifetime honor. Some local authorities have proactively applied for delisting, signaling a shift from preserving designations to improving quality. The article forecasts intensified regulatory scrutiny in 2026, with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism pledging to strengthen quality reviews and delist non-compliant sites.
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