Hangzhou shuts down private clubs in public gardens

In the latest drive to root out corruption and end wasteful spending, east China's Hangzhou's municipal government has issued an order to shut down all luxury private clubs around the city's scenic West Lake. These once exclusive, luxury venues in public parks will now be open to the general public.

In the latest drive to root out corruption and end wasteful spending, east China's Hangzhou's municipal government has issued an order to shut down all luxury private clubs around the city's scenic West Lake. These once exclusive, luxury venues in public parks will now be open to the general public.

Hidden away, these private clubs are difficult to find. Highly exclusive, they are only open to people willing to pay its equally high prices. A meal costs at least 400 yuan per person and sometimes even more. But now it's all coming to an end. The Hangzhou government is calling for the shut down of all private clubs in parks around West Lake.

30 private clubs have received notices to close before Saturday.

"It happened all of sudden. I was not prepared for this. But this is an order following the central government's anti-graft campaign. I will definitely support it." Shen Yongzhen, manager of Hangzhou West Lake Lianzhuang Club, said.

Public opposition towards private clubs has been on rise. They are often built illegally with wide spaces and scenic views, sometimes even around historical sites.

"We will shut down high-end restaurants in parks. Some historical buildings or the former homes of celebrities can be transformed to culture exhibition halls. These public resources must be accessible to the public." Liu Ying, party secretary of Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Manag. Comm., said.

Hangzhou is famous for its beautiful parks and gardens around the iconic west lake, and is free to the public. Removing these private clubs has been given wide support.

"It's not good to set boundaries in scenic areas. It's like we are in a lower class. We can't come in if we can't afford it. Only those people driving luxury cars can come to visit. That's not good." Tourist from Guangdong province said.

"We saw some little courtyards and villas on the way. Our ancestors built them so it should be shared by the public. These resources can't be occupied by a small group of people." Tourist from Henan province said.

The crack down on private clubs is part of the central government's anti-graft campaign initiated last March. Many of those high-end restaurants around the West Lake, were places where government officials secretly lived out their extravagant lifestyles and to conduct highly lucrative deals. But now, it's all about to end.