As 2016 begins, with the traditional Lunar Year of the Monkey still some time away, the news that “Mount Emei Scenic Area is offering free admission to all monkeys around the world” instantly went viral on Weibo and WeChat, drawing massive attention from media and netizens:
Monkeys everywhere are exclaiming, “No way—Mount Emei Scenic Area is really offering us free entry!!”
Netizens even jokingly called it “the first viral hit of the Monkey Year: Mount Emei’s free entry,” marking the first major event of 2016 and making the vibe of the Chinese Year of the Monkey even stronger online.
Netizens of other zodiac signs also joined in the fun: those born in the Year of the Horse claimed they’d turned into the White Dragon Horse; those born in the Year of the Pig said they were now Zhu Bajie (Pigsy); those born in the Year of the Ox called themselves good brothers; those born in the Year of the Rabbit wanted to bask in Chang’e’s glow; all were asking for a “friends-and-family discount.”
Major authoritative media outlets such as the “People’s Daily Official Weibo” also posted messages encouraging people to “share this with any monkeys you know!”
Just as netizens were speculating whether the free entry was a one-time offer or valid for the whole year, and how eligible visitors could participate, the official Weibo account of Mount Emei Scenic Area recently posted an update clarifying the policy:
The Weibo post specified the following lucky birth date ranges for monkeys who will enjoy free entry—monkeys, check if you fall within these dates:
February 12, 1956 – January 30, 1957
January 30, 1968 – February 16, 1969
February 16, 1980 – February 4, 1981
February 4, 1992 – January 22, 1993
January 22, 2004 – February 8, 2005
And unlimited entries all year long!!Monkey brothers and sisters, wanna join? Many monkeys are already planning their 2016 “Monkey Trip” or “Year of the Monkey Bash,” eager to enjoy this “exclusive Monkey Year perk.” Looks like the Year of the Monkey is destined to be ruled by monkeys!
Free entry covers nearly 100 million Chinese worldwide
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, there are approximately 98 million monkeys among the global Chinese population—meaning this “Year of the Monkey exclusive benefit” from Mount Emei covers nearly 100 million people, truly a generous gesture. Additionally, there’s no limit to the number of free entries—each eligible person can enjoy unlimited free admission throughout the entire Monkey Year.
Why is Mount Emei offering free entry to monkeys?
As everyone knows, Mount Emei is home to China’s largest natural ecological monkey reserve. The mischievous, funny, and highly human-like monkeys living there are a beloved live attraction for visitors and have become one of Mount Emei’s most iconic symbols. Monkey culture has long been a significant part of Chinese zodiac culture, so for monkeys celebrating the Year of the Monkey by visiting Mount Emei to observe monkey antics and immerse themselves in monkey culture is a uniquely traditional and refined delight.
Moreover, in active response to the State Council’s advocacy for “healthy tourism, green tourism, and eco-tourism,” Mount Emei Scenic Area has achieved remarkable results in heritage conservation, ecological preservation, and wildlife protection. The scenic area is fully committed to building a “Hundred-Mile Eco-Monkey Zone” and constructing a diversified product system for Mount Emei, establishing the Mount Emei monkeys as a renowned brand.
Sources from Mount Emei revealed that 2016 is the Year of the Monkey, and to promote eco-tourism, the scenic area has launched a preferential policy for global Chinese tourists born in the Year of the Monkey: free entry to Mount Emei. This initiative aims to significantly raise awareness about ecological and wildlife conservation and civilized tourism, while also boosting the brand influence of Mount Emei’s “Eco-Monkey Zone.”
How can you enjoy this Monkey Year gift package?
So, how should monkey-born travelers claim this exclusive benefit?
According to our inquiries, Shitu Travel (www.ciotour.com) is the only official booking platform for this promotion. Eligible travelers simply need to log onto Shitu Travel to make a reservation. After a successful booking, they’ll receive an order number and verification code via SMS. Upon arrival at the scenic area, they can present the SMS to get free entry tickets and, after identity verification, enter the mountain for sightseeing.
(For the booking process, please see the diagram below)
Yes, the first viral hit of the Monkey Year—free entry to Mount Emei. Monkeys, see you at Mount Emei in 2016.