People line up to enter a park in Nanjing on September 7, 2008. Local residents were allowed free access to six of the city's parks in exchange for completing a questionnaire. [Photo: longhoo.net]

Residents in Nanjing were allowed free access to six of the city's parks on Sunday in exchange for completing a questionnaire.

Fifty thousand questionnaires seeking ways to boost tourism were given out to park-goers, a long way short of the actual turnout.

According to Yangtse Evening News, the parks saw a record 350,000 visitors on Sunday, with Hongshan Zoo tripling its previous record at 175,000 visits alone.

Among the suggestions given by the park-goers is the need to add more entertainment facilities. A 63-year-old visitor surnamed Gu told the newspaper that facilities similar to those in Disneyland parks might help tourism.

Nanjing, the provincial capital of Jiangsu, is yet to open all of its parks for free because of financial or management reasons, the report says.

Citizens suggested the parks ensure free entry on special occasions such as national holidays.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 8, 2008)