The City Beach in Jinshan District will charge an admission fee this summer from June 10 to September 10.
The fee will be 30 yuan (US$4.30) during weekdays, and 50 yuan in the evenings and at weekends. The fee will include accident insurance.
The Jinshan City Beach Management Office said charging the admission fee would limit visitor volume during the peak summer time and provide better service.
The admission fee is also expected to cover managing costs, such as cleaning, security and lifesaving.
The beach will start selling tickets from 8:30am every day. It will be closed at 8pm Monday to Thursday and at 9pm on weekends.
Students will enjoy a half price discount on the fee. Seniors above the age of 60, disabled people and children under 1.2 meters in height will enter the beach for free.
The beach will also improve its facilities this summer. The swimming area will be expanded from 24,000 square meters to 32,000 square meters.
A plank road, about 400 meters long and 6 meters wide, will be built along the beach. The road is expected to ensure visitors' safety and add a new view to the beach.
A new shower house will also be built.
A 12,000-square-meter parking lot which can hold 430 cars and 30 buses will be built at the eastern entrance to the beach, officials said. Small cars will be charged a parking fee of 4 yuan an hour, while big vehicles will be charged 5 yuan, officials said.
(Shanghai Daily May 27, 2008)