奇速英语

云南哀牢山爆火，别把“禁区”当“景区”

During the National Day holidays, the “mysterious” Ailao Mountains in Yunnan Province, China, have become a popular tourist spot. The local cultural and tourism department reported that 50,000 tourists visited the site, a 15 percent increase from last year.

The Ailao Mountains are in central Yunnan, spanning the cities of Chuxiong, Yuxi, and Pu’er. Some call it the “Forest of Death” because of its ravines (沟壑), dense forests, and unpredictable weather. The peripheral part of the Ailao Mountains is open to travelers under administration of Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County. Its remote location and natural state have led to some “mysterious stories” about the area. How did it become popular?

The Ailao Mountains first became popular due to a mysterious adventure video posted online by a blogger. The video showed unexpected fog and warning signs like “bears nearby”, making it thrilling and creepy for viewers. Curious tourists then went to the area, causing traffic jams on the mountain roads. A video posted on Sunday showed a traffic jam of small cars on the highway around the Ailao Mountains, according to a local account.

The deeper, inaccessible parts of the Ailao Mountains are still not open to tourists. There aren’t proper roads. These areas often face severe weather conditions, which can cause altitude sickness and hypothermia (体温过低). What’s worse, the unusual magnetic field can make compasses useless, increasing the risk of getting lost.

On Sunday, the scenic area’s departments issued notices stating that no one is allowed to enter or engage in activities like hiking, or camping without proper authorization. Local authorities also announced that unauthorized visits can lead to fines ranging from 100 yuan to 5,000 yuan. As long as the tourists adhere to the scenic area’s regulations, their safety can be fully guaranteed, according to the local cultural and tourism department.