Huangshan Tourist Traps

In Huang Shan park, one of the popular thing a Chinese couple would do is to buy two locks (many vendors sell them there in the mountain), and interlock the locks on a safety chain along the hiking path. They said that means their love would last as long as earth exists.

However, we do not think it is a good idea.

First, it is a SAFETY hazard: with thousands of them locked on the safety chaines, they cause erosion of chain therefore is very dangerous.

Second, to us, the chains with locks and especially the ubiquitous lock selling booths, not only do not look like a 'beautiful scene' as apprasied by many people, but also destroy natural vista.

Third, the lock sellers always brag to you that your lock is numbered and with your name on, and these data are input into their 'database' so that you, or your children, can come back to take a look in the future. However, the funny thing is, I saw many people fighting with lock sellers as some of the sellers resell used locks on which others' names already carved. Once we walked along a path, two people were unlocking the locks, and one said 'hey, someone is coming' when saw us approaching, then the second looked at us briefly and told his partner 'Don't worry, they will not report to anyone'.

We think this locking thing should be abandoned to protect public safety and nature at least. If you really believe that your love would last as long as the locks are there with the earth, what would you think where your love would head if you know your locks would be removed and resold once you turn around? Further, one of my friends and her husband interlocked their two locks there during their honeymoon tour, then still ended up a divorce later.