On January 2, 2025, in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, the “Lotus Pond Impressions” tourist attraction had advertised a fireworks show in their New Year’s Eve ticket, but on the night of December 31, 2024, a large number of tourists arrived at the attraction only to find out that the fireworks show had been suddenly canceled. Upset by this, they gathered at the ticket office demanding refunds, but were refused. Some of the tourists even began throwing trash at the ticket office, and even overturned the fences and refrigerators there.
According to a report by the “Xiaoxiang Morning News,” the price of the New Year’s Eve ticket for the Dongguan Lotus Pond Impressions was 68 RMB, which included three performance items, including the Colorful Clouds Fireworks Show. It was reported that there were at least tens of thousands of people at the scene that night!
As a result, when the guests arrived at the site, they found out that there was no fireworks show. Many of them rushed to the ticket office to ask for refunds, only to be declined.
Videos from the scene showed large groups of tourists shouting “refund” in unison. Some tourists pushed over the refrigerators, threw stones, and even threw fences at the staff, causing a chaotic scene that scared the staff who had to hide. Some people even brought out a large bag of fruits from the ticket office for the tourists to throw. There were also police present at the scene but they did not intervene.
In another video, it can be seen that a police car on its way to the attraction was surrounded by a large crowd demanding refunds.
After the incident was exposed, it sparked attention from netizens.
Many online users expressed their opinions: “This is a scam.” “Stuck in traffic for three hours, arrived early, thought we could really see the Colorful Clouds New Year’s Eve, but ended up feeling lonely.” “We came specifically for the Colorful Clouds fireworks show, without this event, 90% of people wouldn’t have come!” “On the first day of 2025, we were treated as fools.” “Not only a refund, but also a reimbursement for travel expenses.” “Growing increasingly disappointed with Dongguan.”
On the morning of January 1, 2025, a reporter from the newspaper called the Dongguan Lotus Pond Impressions attraction. A marketing staff member responded that indeed there was no fireworks show that night, and refunds were given onsite to some customers. Tickets purchased on the platform could be refunded on the phone as long as they hadn’t been checked in yet. However, for consumers who had already entered the park and had their tickets scanned, the attraction’s management had not yet determined a unified solution.
In the afternoon of January 1, the attraction issued an apology letter stating that they would unconditionally refund tickets, and visitors could apply for a full refund through the original ticket purchase channel.