Despite the government's decision to curb soaring commodity prices, ticket prices in major tourist attractions are still on the rise.

The Beijing News reports that with another peak travel season around the corner, major sightseeing attractions across the country are raising their entry fees, ranging from 100 yuan to over 300 yuan. Even the lowest ticket prices would account for nearly ten percent of Chinese residents' monthly income, far higher than the less than one percent in the West.

The paper attributes the price hike to local governments' moves to pursue profits by making travel resources their own sources of income. Though the price hike is said to cover maintenance and other related expenditures, the paper argues the moves require public supervision to make sure every coin counts.

The paper suggests that public interests be given full consideration. To achieve that goal, public hearings should include not only tourist managers and industry experts, but also tourists and local residents.