Tourist Harassed by Aggressive Local in Chongqing's Hongyadong Scenic Area
A tourist in Chongqing's Hongyadong Scenic Area was recently accosted by a stranger who forcibly attempted to take a photo with them, despite the tourist's clear refusal. The woman, who was wearing red clothing, not only ignored the tourist's rejection but also hurled insults and threats at them and their family. The incident was captured on video by the tourist's uncle, who attempted to record the scene, only to have the woman slap his phone and demand that he delete the footage. The police intervened and took both parties to the local police station for mediation, but the woman continued to be uncooperative.
12 July 2025
The incident occurred on the evening of July 10th at Hongyadong, a popular tourist destination in Chongqing, when a family, including a young girl, went there to take photos. A woman, who was also at the scene, grabbed the girl's shoulder and forcibly took photos with her, despite the girl's clear refusal and protest. The woman then began shouting and verbally abusing the family, refusing to let them leave the scene. When a bystander attempted to record the incident with his phone, the woman became even more aggressive, trying to snatch the phone away and demanding that the video be deleted. The situation escalated, and patrolling police officers had to intervene to calm the situation.
However, even after the police arrived, the woman continued to cause a scene, shouting insults at the family. She was eventually taken to a nearby police station for mediation, where she still refused to acknowledge her wrongdoing. Instead, she claimed to be a local and demanded that the family apologize to her. The police officers attempted to reason with her, but she continued to throw a tantrum. After over an hour of mediation, the family decided to leave, as they did not want to spend their entire evening dealing with the situation. The woman, still unwilling to let the matter go, attempted to block their way out of the police station and even threatened to call for backup, hurling insults at the family as they departed. It was only with the police officers' intervention that the family was able to leave the scene.
Throughout the ordeal, the family praised the police officers' handling of the situation, particularly their attitude and professionalism. Despite the unpleasant experience, the family's impression of the people of Chongqing remains unchanged, as they believe that the woman's behavior was not representative of the city's residents. However, the incident has raised concerns about the need for harmony and respect among tourists and locals alike in popular destinations like Hongyadong.
The incident has sparked outrage among netizens, who are calling for greater measures to be taken to protect tourists from such harassment. Many have expressed similar experiences and are urging the Chongqing authorities to strengthen security and management, and to prohibit forced photo-taking behavior. Some have suggested that the photography industry in Hongyadong should be regulated, allowing tourists to experience the warmth and hospitality of the local people. On social media, some have argued that the tourist's reaction was overly sensitive, and that the red-clad woman's behavior may have been well-intentioned or a common form of local cultural exchange. However, most netizens have supported the tourist, stating that forced photo-taking is an invasion of personal privacy and should be stopped.
Some have defended the woman, suggesting that her behavior may have been due to local customs or commercial demands, and that she may not have realized the discomfort she was causing. As a result, netizens are calling for the Hongyadong scenic area management to strengthen protection of tourists' privacy rights, while also improving local residents' cultural awareness and service consciousness to avoid similar incidents in the future. The incident has prompted a reexamination of how to balance respect for tourists' privacy with local characteristics and commercial demands in the tourism industry. Experts suggest that improving service quality and standardization, enhancing local cultural awareness, and educating tourists can reduce cultural conflicts and privacy invasion issues. Only through mutual respect and understanding can tourism become a truly enjoyable experience.
The local authorities in Chongqing have stated that they will investigate the incident and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and comfort of tourists in the area, while the Chongqing police department has promised to handle the matter seriously and protect the legitimate rights of tourists.
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