Detailed requirements on reaching traveling spots via private vehicles are stipulated in the regulation and include several indexes: traffic index, index of environmental protection, security index, convenience index, popularity index and fatigue index. The regulation also allows private travelers to rate tour sites. Their marks will consequently have direct influence on their evaluation as tourist and scenic spots.

Destination boards with both Chinese and English

Traveling as an independent motorist is different from traditional group traveling. In China this type of traffic is defined as travelers who operate vehicles by themselves while participating in tours, those who drive their own automobiles independently, and finally, those accompany others who are driving independent vehicles.

For example, the resources index instructs traveling destinations for independent motorists to have at least three clearly designated AAA tour sights. The traffic index specifies that these areas must be less than fifty kilometers between major highways and popular scenic spots. Furthermore, tourist maps should be provided at airports, railway stations, wharfs and bus stations. Road signs displaying destination information in both Chinese and English are required on main thoroughfares. The convenience index states that cell phone signal availability offered by China Mobile and China Unicom should cover all independent motorist tour sights.

No disposable table utensils

It is significant that the regulation attaches great import to environmental protection. The regulation includes an added index for environmental protection, stipulating that the average noise level in developed areas around cities should not exceed 58 dB. Also, disposable table utensils are not recommended for use by restaurants located in tourist sights. Recycled water should be used to flush toilets located at scenic spots. Finally, independent motorists driving to all tourist sights should not desecrate the local forest or greenery in any fashion.

Requirements regarding security insurance for travelers are also included in the regulation. This index includes a 100 percent processing ratio for any and all complaints. It also stipulates that no more than two hours should be necessary for travelers to drive from a tour sight to their place of lodging in order to avoid driving while fatigued and also to provide easy access to their place of stay, because lodging also serves an important index for grading tour sights.

(Ching.org.cn, by Yang Xi, November 2, 2007)