Golden week bargains for China tourists

Visitor attractions in China have dropped their admission fees to mark eight days of holiday across the country.

With the start of October signalling the beginning of the national Golden Week holidays in China, holidaymakers will be able to save money at many of the nation's attractions.

The National Development and Reform Commission says four tourist attractions are planning to open their doors to the public for free. And a further 94 have reduced their admission charges by a quarter.

During the eight-day break, which includes National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, 14 of the major tourist hotspots in China, including Unesco World Heritage Sites in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, will also reduce their prices.

The Three Gorges Dam and Yulong Snow Mountain scenic areas have also introduced discounts for the period.

Tourism expert Wang Guohua, from Beijing University of Technology, said although the price drops weren't dramatic, the policy was "going in the right direction".