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A city government in China will offer a unique immersive experience for visitors to retrace ancient, torturous exile routes, complete with prisoner uniforms and handcuffs, igniting debate on mainland social media.
In December, China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province will launch a tourism project allowing visitors to experience an “exile” to Ningguta, as reported by Jiupai News.
It is hoped that this creative package will significantly boost tourism numbers and revenues.
Mudanjiang city, located in the southeast of Heilongjiang, was home to Ningguta, an ancient military town and one of the most renowned locations for exile.
Historical records indicate that over 1.5 million people were banished to Ningguta for serious crimes during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
Many prisoners faced long, gruelling journeys, with many perishing along the way, while survivors were often enslaved by local officials.