"People Are Paying To Suffer" — China's 'Exile to Ningguta' Sparks Debate Among Netizens
Tourists can live in the shoes of those banished in the past.
By Celine Low — 11 Nov 2024, 12:32 PM
The city of Mudanjiang in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province is offering tourists the chance to experience the harsh realities of exile during the Qing dynasty
Organised by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the "Exile to Ningguta" project is set in the Jingpo Lake Scenic Area and it is expected to be launched in December.
Ningguta holds a significant place in Chinese history. Historical records indicate that over 1.5 million people were exiled to Ningguta for various crimes, often facing perilous journeys and harsh treatment upon arrival, according to The Beijing Times. The region gained further notoriety through popular culture, notably in the 2011 Chinese historical drama, Empresses in the Palace, which depicted the exile of a consort's family to Ningguta.
This immersive experience will provide tourists with prisoner uniforms and even the option to wear wooden collars and shackles
Actors dressed as ancient prison guards will further add to the authenticity of the reenactment, allowing participants to retrace the ancient routes taken by banished prisoners.
As part of the experience, bungee jumping will also be available to simulate the desperation felt by exiles who, in their despair, sometimes chose to leap from cliffs.
Miniature models of prisoner and guard costumes and restraints.
Image via Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and TourismWhile some praised the innovative approach to cultural tourism, others criticise it as disrespectful to the suffering endured by those exiled to Ningguta
Many argue that turning a place of historical tragedy into a tourist attraction trivialises the pain and sacrifices of those who were unjustly banished.
One netizen pondered the irony of the situation, stating, "Ancient people couldn't have imagined that people would voluntarily pay money to experience exile a thousand years later." Another commenter wrote, "The ancestors in heaven saw this and said, 'These are the descendants I have gone through so much trouble to protect?'"
Some netizens argue that the "Exile to Ningguta" project lacks purpose, prioritising profits over social responsibility.
"Cultural tourism projects and activities like these do not have an important purpose. They shouldn't be carried out just to satisfy curiosity, novelty of seeking excitement, and purely for economic benefits while ignoring the overall social benefits. They are following vulgar and horrific customs that not worth pursuing. They should be stopped!" one netizen criticised.
