Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang, Shandong province will reopen to the public on March 28 after being closed for almost two months due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The scenic area will be open from 8:30 to 22:00 every day. Some indoor venues will remain closed amid the ongoing epidemic.

During the epidemic prevention and control period, the scenic area will adopt strict measures to prevent cross-infection. It will implement a real-name ticket purchasing system and daily visitor flow will be capped at 50 percent of maximum capacity.

An aerial view of Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang, Shandong province [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]

Favorable policies

1. Chinese medical workers will enjoy free admission and 50 percent discounts on cruises until May 31, 2021, while the policy for medics who worked in Hubei is valid until Dec 31, 2024.

2. Participants of medical conferences held in the scenic area will enjoy free admission until May 31, 2021.

3. The "touring Shandong in winter" policy is valid until April 28, 2020. During this period, ticket prices will be lowered from 160 yuan ($22.48) per person to 120 yuan per person, and by paying an additional 20 yuan, visitors can obtain a super value annual card, which offers unlimited access to the scenic area and related scenic spots until the end of the year.

4. Annual travel cards that expire after Jan 24, 2020 will be extended for 70 days.

5. Admission is free for minors under the age of 18, college students, and other groups of people.

6. From March 28 to April 28, stores operated by the scenic area will offer discounts on accommodation, shopping, travel auction and river cruise tickets (see the discount rules in stores for details).

Tips:

1. As part of epidemic prevention and control efforts, visitors are required to show a "green pass" (a green QR code which allows its holders to travel across Shandong without worrying about coronavirus-related traffic restrictions), have their temperature taken at the entrance, and wear a mask at all times.

Scan the QR code to get your "green pass". [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]

Visitors whose temperatures are above 37.3 degrees centigrade or have symptoms such as dry cough and fatigue are prohibited from entering and appropriate measures will be taken.

Visitors should maintain a distance of no less than one meter from each other during their stay.

2. Tour groups organized by travel agencies are not allowed to enter while epidemic prevention and control efforts are ongoing.

3. Visitors can buy tickets online via the official WeChat account "tezgc2008", on Ctrip.com, a major online tourism platform in China, or at the entrance of the scenic area by scanning a QR code.

4. Visitors who are eligible for free admission can go directly to the entrance with their valid certificates.

5. To file a complaint or report fever, cough or other symptoms, call 0632-6679038.

6. For information on ticket policies and other business inquiries, call 0632-6679117.

Taierzhuang is the only ancient town along the Grand Canal with well-preserved wharves and revetments. [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]