‘Lucky’ coins that visitors throw into Chinese spring risk polluting the water, staff warn
- A man’s theft of ‘lucky’ coins tourists throw into the water at Baotu Spring Park has drawn fresh attention to the practice, and its staff’s attempt to ban it
- They have cleared coins from the spring, made famous by the Qianlong Emperor, 29 times in three years, collecting US$9,300, and say enough is enough
More than 60,000 yuan (US$9,300) in coins has been scooped out of one of China’s most renowned natural springs over the past three years.
The coins are tossed into the water by the millions of tourists who visit the Baotu Spring Park in the city of Jinan, in China’s eastern Shandong province, each year.
The coin tossers believe their act will bring them good luck, love, and whatever else their hearts desire. The result is a scene reminiscent of that which confronts visitors to Rome’s 300-year-old Trevi fountain, where tossing one coin is meant to mean a return to the Eternal City, tossing two means you’ll return and find love, and tossing three means you’ll return, find love, and marry in Rome.
Staff at the park have had enough. They banned the practice back in 2015, but in vain, and this week again called for it to stop because the natural spring water is being polluted, China Central Television reported.
Staff have cleared coins from the spring 29 times in the past three years – they are given to the local fiscal administration – CCTV reported.