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'Ridiculous': Day trip to 'scenic' spot takes morbid turn

A tour company in China is under investigation after a group of elderly tourists promised a scenic day out were instead taken to a cemetery and delivered a sales pitch.

While the group believed they were being taken by bus to see some of Chongqing's most famous sights, they ended up arriving at the burial ground, state agency Xinhua reported.

One tourist told local media he was approached by the tour group to sign up to the trip and was promised a ticket price of 18 yuan (A$3.60) which included a free lunch.

The group were taken to a cemetery instead of seeing the city's most popular locations. Source: Weibo/ The Paper
The group were taken to a cemetery instead of seeing the city's most popular locations. Source: Weibo/ The Paper

Attracted by the offer, the man named as Mr Zheng approached more than 10 of his friends who also agreed to join the trip.

Video from the bus before it arrived at the cemetery shows the group smiling and laughing.

The group's mood quickly changed when they arrived at the Longfengshan cemetery and staff promoted grave plots and funeral services to them.

"You can’t use the name of tourism [to take people to a cemetery],” Mr Zheng angrily said.

Video shows the group in a jovial mood before they arrived at the cemetery. Source: Weibo
Video shows the group in a jovial mood before they arrived at the cemetery. Source: Weibo
Angry members of the group expressed their dismay to local media. Source: Weibo
Angry members of the group expressed their dismay to local media. Source: Weibo

The incident has gained widespread attention on Chinese social media, including Twitter-like Weibo.

"This made me really angry," one person wrote.

"This is so ridiculous," another said.

Yet others suggested the group were too naive over the trip due to its cheap price.

"Where can you travel for 18 yuan?!" one person asked.

The Chongqing Culture and Tourism Commission ordered an investigation into the matter and it has since been revealed the tour company did not hold the required licence to operate tourism activities. Investigations are ongoing.

Authorities said they are concerned with the incident which could damage the reputation of the city, particularly as it has a rich history of tourism. The city is regarded as one of China's mega cities.

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