Historic Fenghuang Town to Abolish Admission Fee

More than 100 Miao women dressed up in glamorous local costumes travel around the ancient town of Fenghuang in the west part of Hunan province on December 2nd, 2015. The show is part of the 5th China Fenghuang Miao Ethnic Silver-wear and Costumes Festival. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Local authorities are backing away from an unpopular surcharge at a popular tourist destination in Hunan.

Tourists are no longer going to be charged the 148-yuan fee to enter Fenghuang Old Town.

The fee was first introduced 3-years ago, and sparked protests by local store owners at the time, who complained about a drop in revenues.

Since then, tourism numbers have been declining in Fenghuang.

Fees will still apply to enter certain areas of the Old Town area.

Fenghuang is considered one of China's jewels of old architecture, as many of the buildings have been preserved from when they were originally built over 300-years ago.