As an unexpected location for congestion, a desert is hard to beat.
Especially when it’s the camels that are paralyzed.
But camel traffic jams are exactly what happens amid the dunes of Mingsha Mountain and the Crescent Spring scenic spot in China.
The problem became so serious that local authorities came up with a unique, world-first solution to prevent delayed tourists from getting into trouble (as the British sometimes describe when they get upset): camel traffic lights.
The unique system was installed in 2021 at a popular location on the outskirts of Dunhuang City, northwest China’s Gansu Province.
Camel traffic lights have been installed on Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Spot.
The unique system was installed in 2021 at a popular location on the outskirts of Dunhuang City, northwest China’s Gansu Province.
The signals serve the same purpose as normal traffic lights and display the same traditional green pedestrian symbols on one side.
But on the other side they show the distinctive image of a two-humped camel.
Dozens of traffic lights were installed along the scenic route to allow pedestrians to cross between long lines of camels.
The signs serve the same purpose as regular traffic lights. They display traditional green pedestrian symbols on one side, but an image of a two-humped camel on the other.
The unique system on Mingsha Mountain (above) has become a tourist attraction itself.
When the green camel light is on, the camels can pass, and when the red camel light is on, the camels stop to let pedestrians pass.
While the traffic lights have worked to speed up camel rides through the desert, they have not made the area less crowded: the traffic lights have become a popular tourist attraction in themselves.
According Chinese NewspaperWang Youxia, deputy general manager of the company responsible for the scenic spot’s operations, said more than 3.7 million tourists visited last year, with 42 percent of them opting for camel rides.
The scenic area is home to around 2,000 camels, each carrying several tourists a day, according to the website.
The camel rides are operated by local villagers, who charge around 100 yuan (£12/$14) per tourist for a one-hour camel ride.
The picturesque area is home to around 2,000 camels, each carrying several tourists a day.