China Unveils "Exile Route" Tour Experience, Sparks Debate Online

A unique and controversial tourism experience is set to launch in Heilongjiang province, China, where visitors will have the opportunity to retrace the harsh journeys of former exiles. Starting in December, tourists will be able to walk the difficult routes taken by prisoners in the past, while dressed in handcuffs and prisoner uniforms. The project, designed to boost tourism and local revenue, has already sparked significant debate on Chinese social media.

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The tourism experience will take place in Mudanjiang, a city in the southeastern part of Heilongjiang, which is known for its historical significance as a place of exile during the Qing dynasty. The location was home to Ningguta, a notorious military town where over 1.5 million people were exiled for serious crimes during the Qing era (1644-1911). Many of these exiles faced brutal and grueling journeys, with some perishing along the way. Survivors were often forced into slavery by local officials. Ningguta gained further notoriety in modern times through the popular Chinese historical drama *Empresses in the Palace*, which depicted the exile of the emperor's consort’s family to the town.

In an effort to attract tourists, the "Exile Route" experience aims to promote Ningguta’s historical significance and offer a glimpse into the harsh reality of the Qing dynasty's punishment system. Visitors will be guided along a series of routes that once served as the paths taken by exiled individuals, experiencing the physical and emotional toll of their journeys. The experience will allow participants to dress as prisoners, complete with handcuffs and prisoner uniforms, as they walk the same roads once traveled by those condemned by the Qing authorities.

While the project is designed to draw attention to the region’s history and bring in more visitors, it has sparked significant online debate. Some social media users have reacted positively, appreciating the creative approach to showcasing local history and culture. One user on Weibo expressed excitement, writing, “I can’t wait to go to Ningguta this winter and do a ‘prisoner’ hike. It sounds like a great way to relieve tension.” Another user echoed similar sentiments, saying, “It’s a creative way to promote local history and culture that appeals to young people.”

However, not everyone is in favor of this approach. Critics argue that the experience trivializes the suffering of those exiled and the traumatic history associated with the place. Some intellectuals and historians have expressed concern, noting that many prominent intellectuals and patriots were among those forcibly exiled to Ningguta, making it a place of historical tragedy. They believe that turning such a somber history into a tourism gimmick could be seen as insensitive. “Ningguta was a tragic location in ancient China, and this behavior seems disrespectful to the painful memories of those who suffered there,” one user commented.

Despite the mixed reactions, the initiative is a bold attempt by the local authorities to rejuvenate the region’s tourism sector. With the introduction of this novel experience, the goal is to attract a new generation of tourists interested in immersive historical experiences while boosting the economy of Mudanjiang and the broader Heilongjiang province. How the project will be received in the long term remains to be seen, but it certainly has sparked conversation across China.

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