Tourists put in ‘the stocks’ at Chinese theme park

A historical-themed amusement park in eastern China is to start handing out lighthearted punishments to visitors who do not wear Song dynasty (960-1279) costumes provided free of charge on entry.

The Hangzhou Songcheng Park in Zhejiang province announced the move on its website and published photographs of tourists wearing modern clothes sitting in the stocks and led around with their hands roped.

Song dynasty “police” are also on hand to give out the punishments.

“Everyone has the responsibility to pass themselves off as believable character, which can be quite fun,” the announcement said. “Everyone can play a role in the story.”

The promotion is part of a “Back to the Song” programme the park is launching this autumn.