This summer, as tourism season reaches its height, multiple cultural and tourism authorities across China have announced the removal of 3A-level ratings from a number of scenic spots.

On July 31, the Suzhou Cultural and Tourism Bureau in Anhui Province announced that the Xiaoxian Yinmaquanshan Resort voluntarily applied to withdraw its scenic area rating, as its own limitations prevented it from meeting the relevant requirements of the national standard "Classification and Evaluation of Tourist Attractions' Quality Grades" (GB/T 17775-2024). After review, the Suzhou bureau decided to cancel the resort's 3A-level tourist attraction status in accordance with the "Management Measures for the Quality Grades of Tourist Attractions."

On July 30, the Yangquan Cultural and Tourism Bureau in Shanxi Province issued a statement announcing the cancellation of the Yuxian Cangshan Cuigu national 3A-level tourist attraction rating. The decision was made to strengthen the quality management of scenic spots, following the national standard and relevant management regulations.

On July 30, the Jintai District Cultural and Tourism Bureau of Baoji City in Shaanxi Province announced that the Jintai District Yuchi Commune, a national 3A-level scenic spot, had voluntarily ceased tourism operations due to poor management. Its facilities and supporting equipment had not received regular maintenance. Citing the current critical flood-prevention period, with frequent extreme weather like heavy rain and strong convective events, the bureau noted that safety risks on walkways, waterside facilities, and supporting buildings had escalated, making the site unsafe for operation. Effective immediately, Yuchi Commune was fully closed, suspending all visitor reception and sightseeing services.

On July 29, the Hami Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau in Xinjiang announced the cancellation of the Hami Xinya Art Garden Winery's national 3A-level tourist attraction rating. The decision was made to fully implement management measures, strictly enforce dynamic review requirements, standardize ongoing management, maintain disciplinary integrity in rating evaluations, and protect the credibility and authority of the A-level brand. Earlier, Hami authorities also decided to cancel the national 3A-level rating for the Hami Melon Garden.

On July 29, the Linhai Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, announced the cancellation of the East Zhejiang Leisure Home City scenic spot's national 3A-level rating. The site was found to have degraded core sightseeing functions and lagging tourism innovation, failing to meet the required standards. The decision followed a review by the Taizhou Tourist Attractions Quality Rating Committee upon the scenic area's application.

On July 29, the Baofeng County Cultural and Tourism Bureau in Henan Province announced the cancellation of ratings for the Kanglong Ideal Rural Tourism Resort (3A) and Shiban River Scenic Area (3A) based on the results of the 2026 annual quality grade review for the county.

On July 27, the Zhangye Cultural, Radio, and Tourism Bureau in Gansu Province published a notice proposing to revoke the national 3A-level rating for five scenic spots: Linze Xianggu Scenic Area, Shandan Hanming Great Wall Scenic Area, Shandan Ci'er Mountain Scenic Area, and Minle Qinglong Mountain Scenic Area. The decision was made to improve management and service quality, following national standards and related policies.

On July 23, the Ziyang Tourism Resources Planning and Development Quality Rating Committee in Sichuan Province announced the cancellation of the Yanjiang District Foshan Juhai · Jule Pastoral Scenic Area's 3A-level rating. The site's tourism functions had weakened due to a shift in development direction, rendering it unable to meet the relevant requirements of the national standard.

On July 21, the Shizuishan Star Rating Committee in Ningxia announced the cancellation of the Pingluo Yuhuang Pavilion's national 3A-level tourist attraction qualification.

According to the "Management Measures for the Quality Grades of Tourist Attractions," there are five quality levels, from low to high: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A. 3A-level and below are rated by provincial-level rating committees (which can authorize city-level committees). 4A-level is recommended by provincial committees and rated by the national committee. 5A-level is selected from among 4A-level attractions that have held that status for at least three years. The evaluation process includes material review, landscape value assessment, on-site inspection, public notification, and official announcement. Rating bodies conduct annual reviews and comprehensive re-evaluations every five years. Scenic spots failing to meet standards may receive warnings, public criticism, or have their ratings downgraded or revoked.