The word on the street is that Hongya Woods, Sichuan Province, will reopen its nude beach for the first time since the governmental crackdown on it back in 2003; this time it will operate under the changed name 'Heaven Bodies Nude Bathing Center'. Since the news broke, the issue itself has become a hot spot of sorts, attracting heated debate about whether nude bathing in the open is a natural deed or a licentious act?

Nude Beach Background

In 2002, Ms. Shen Shu Zhen, the then president of Yuping Mountain Resorts, situated in Wawu Mountain National Forest of Hongya County, got the idea to pick out two waterfall resins 5km apart to be the now infamous spot for nude bathing. It was dubbed the 'Forest Nude Bathing Center', only the second nude beach in the country and the first ever to offer nude public bathing in Sichuan Province.

Business was high at first, welcoming swarms of visitors daily from neighboring Chengdu and Meishang provinces. But with the high profile came accusations of immoral practices, the beach even attracted criticism from high ranking government officials beyond. After only one year in business, Sichuan's first ever nude bathing spot was forced to close its doors in 2003.

Voices of the People – In Favor

Nature calls to you in the form of bathing nude out in the open, and it is one practice to highlight the natural beauty that so surrounds Hongya County and will do good to attract tourists. Besides, bathing nude out in the open has been in practice in other countries for years, it is time that we follow suit.

Voices of the People – Opposed

Bathing nude in scenic spots is an act of desecration of the beauty that surrounds, it is an immoral practice and should be discouraged.

Voices of the People – Impartial

There’s no need to call such a practice immoral and licentious: it is just as it is. It is a bit of a jump for conservative minded Chinese to follow suit with the more carefree practices abroad, but for nude bathing to remain profitable in attracting tourists it still needs long-term planning and careful administration to oversee that it shouldn't just fall out of popularity in a few years.

See this article in its original form at gcpnew.com

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