Big changes are taking place in Shuangqiao District, Chongqing Municipality, which is famous for its production of heavy trucks. The district has finished the initial land acquisition of Xinmin Village, Tongqiao Town according to a report by the Chongqing Evening News on April 3.

 

 

Longshui Lake in Shuangqiao District

 

After two years, a "female-dominated town" will be built up here to promote "feminine culture."  

 

According to Li Jigang, director of the Tourism Bureau of Shuangqiao District, the area has fewer tourism resources than its neighboring counties and districts. Xinmin Village is at the foot of the Bayue Mountain with shallow hills covering most of the land.

 

It is a custom there that men dig coals out and hand in money to wives at home. Beginning last year, Shuangqiao District decided to make good use of this historical resource to build a "female-dominated" scenic spot in order to promote its tourism industry.

 

"The essence of the 'female-dominated town' is entertainment showing 'feminine culture,' and it has no relationship with the feminism in real life," said Li Jigang on April 3.

 

"Love whip" will be a feature of the scenic spot according to the program. In this area, a "Female Court" composed of "judges" and "captains" will be set up. Male tourists visiting here will be "whipped" by female tourists if, for example, they can't remember their sweethearts' eating habits quickly or the brand of her cosmetics.

 

The "Female Court" will sentence the man to suffer from the "whip." The female tourist will then discipline the man with a specially made long whip. The theory is that man can only feel soft power through this kind of tender punishment.

 

According to the program, cautions like "Women are never wrong, men must not refuse women's requests" will be clearly written on the door lintel of the "female-dominated town." If male tourists break the rules, the "bailiff" will read them out loud and make them kneel on washing boards or wash dishes for the restaurants in the form of playing games.

 

Tong Jiuying, Party branch secretary of Xinmin Village, is also the future bailiff. "We just want tourists to enjoy this 'feminism game' after visiting Dazu Rock Carvings which is on the world heritage list," she said on April 3.

 

The "female-dominated town" covers an area of 2.3 sq. km according to the tourism bureau of Shuangqiao District. It is only 26 kilometers away from the Dazu Rock Carvings, and will serve as a supplement to the popular site.

 

(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, April 5, 2007)