Climbing Mount Jade to cost foreigners NT$700, but locals just NT$220

[Abacus]

I think the price should be 700NT for all. Too many people going to Yushan anyway.

The two tiered pricing structure is a dangerous precedent though. It's shortsighted and hopefully it dies a quiet death.

[Skater bum]

Try getting a permit before even talking about price. I have been turned down the past two years. Last year I submitted with 9 other locals still turned down. Anyone else have this problem ? I would gladly pay 700 nt just to be able climb.

[StevenCrook]

I think the price should be 700NT for all. Too many people going to Yushan anyway.

The two tiered pricing structure is a dangerous precedent though. It's shortsighted and hopefully it dies a quiet death.

I think climbing Yushan is worth NT$700, and I'd be happy to pay it if everyone was paying it, and the extra money was going to conservation and research. However, as Robert and I mentioned in our letter to the Tourism Bureau, it's illogical to ask hikers going up to the main peak to pay when the vast majority of park visitors pay nothing. You can drive your car between Shuili and Alishan 100 times and pay nothing to the park, even though you're polluting the environment and will depend on the park's police department to help you if you break down or crash. You can wander around Tataka (benefiting from the bilingual signs) and pay nothing. You can pick up a thick wad of leaflets and never read them - and still pay nothing. I support a park entrance fee payable by everyone who enters the park, whether they're hiking, birdwatching or just driving through.

As for foreigners having special dispensation and it being easier for them to get permits, if this is true, the park should explain it. I gave them many opportunities to explain what foreigners get for their NT$700 (I especially wanted to know if foreigners would get something locals wouldn't, i.e. extra insurance) but they mentioned nothing apart from the signs, webpages and English-speaking staff.

The precedent aspect worries me most. Museums and forests could easily jump on the bandwagon once a prestigious attraction like Yushan has began charging foreign visitors more.

[StevenCrook]

I think the policy is fine.

700nt for a NIGHT is super, super super cheap. I have paid for crap hotels in Taiwan for that price. In the US a hotel can, (a shitty one at that!) can cost anywhere from 40-100usd.

It's not a hotel. Prior to renovation, staying there meant sleeping in a cramped dormitory with 30+ others, some of whom would snore hellishly, and at least one would puke through altitude sickness. Then most of them get up at 3am to reach the summit by sunrise. Once the renovation is completed, it should be more comfortable - but still not what you might call a hotel.

[Mucha Man]

Yes the price is not the issue. I would prefer the national parks charge entrance fees to all. The extra money the park will get from foreign hikers is so minuscule as to be not worth collecting, whereas a reasonable entrance fee to all could bring in billions. Yes, billions.

[Confuzius]

Yes the price is not the issue. I would prefer the national parks charge entrance fees to all. The extra money the park will get from foreign hikers is so minuscule as to be not worth collecting, whereas a reasonable entrance fee to all could bring in billions. Yes, billions.

SO then wait, the issue isnt that the foreigner price is too expensive...but the residence price is too cheap?

[archylgp]

Yes the price is not the issue. I would prefer the national parks charge entrance fees to all. The extra money the park will get from foreign hikers is so minuscule as to be not worth collecting, whereas a reasonable entrance fee to all could bring in billions. Yes, billions.

SO then wait, the issue isnt that the foreigner price is too expensive...but the residence price is too cheap?

It actually has nothing to do with high/low prices. It has everything to do with differential treatment...get it? MM is just saying that the parks could make a lot of money if they collected a fair amount of money (200/700 are both low).This money could then be invested in improving the parks, which makes everything better...

[korat]

I find that when Taiwanese don't want to engage in an argument, they either ignore your letter or send a non answer to you which means the same thing. I have only once been successful pressing an issue with a company in Taiwan by sending a letter. I find beating my head against a wall accomplishes more unfortunately.

same shit happens everywhere I believe. i got ignore from an administration staff regarding my credit transferring in SoCal. she in beginning claimed received my record that officially sent from the college i graduated, but she later indicated she didn't receive anything in second contact. (my guess they lost my record somehow) since then, i received 0 respond...

[Icon]

Yes the price is not the issue. I would prefer the national parks charge entrance fees to all. The extra money the park will get from foreign hikers is so minuscule as to be not worth collecting, whereas a reasonable entrance fee to all could bring in billions. Yes, billions.

SO then wait, the issue isnt that the foreigner price is too expensive...but the residence price is too cheap?

It actually has nothing to do with high/low prices. It has everything to do with differential treatment...get it? MM is just saying that the parks could make a lot of money if they collected a fair amount of money (200/700 are both low).This money could then be invested in improving the parks, which makes everything better...

Meaning charging everyone 500nts and then get decent barracks and rescue services, right?

[archylgp]

Yes the price is not the issue. I would prefer the national parks charge entrance fees to all. The extra money the park will get from foreign hikers is so minuscule as to be not worth collecting, whereas a reasonable entrance fee to all could bring in billions. Yes, billions.

SO then wait, the issue isnt that the foreigner price is too expensive...but the residence price is too cheap?

It actually has nothing to do with high/low prices. It has everything to do with differential treatment...get it? MM is just saying that the parks could make a lot of money if they collected a fair amount of money (200/700 are both low).This money could then be invested in improving the parks, which makes everything better...

Meaning charging everyone 500nts and then get decent barracks and rescue services, right?

That or whatever needs to be done...(I have no idea what the rescue services are like here, actually.)