Lushan Mountain, one of China's most recognized resorts, will curb the volume of tourists starting from this year to protect the mountain's ecological environment and to maintain its sustainable development, the Beijing Daily Messenger reported today.

The scenic spot found in central China's Jiangxi Province, will accept no more than 5,000 visitors a day, and expects to control the number of travelers to 1.8 million a year, the newspaper said, citing the Lushan management authority.

Domestic and overseas visitors totaling 1.54 million toured Lushan last year, also renowned in Chinese poetry and legends, saw an increase of 10 percent more tourists than a year earlier.

After careful research, experts estimated that it would be the best for Lushan to take in less than 1.8 million people a year, based on its current capacity.

The authority will also lower ticket prices in the off-season to help control the volume of travelers. Tickets will be 100 yuan (US$12.44) in the off season -- usually from December to next year's February, while costing 135 yuan in the peak season.

(Shanghai Daily March 3, 2006)