Introduction:A café built along the coast in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, sparked discussion after requiring visitors to make a purchase before entering its viewing platform for photos. The shop explained that the measure was to control crowds and ensure a quality experience, but many travelers argued that ocean views are public resources. How should such “photo hotspot” businesses balance commerce and openness? This article explores the operational realities and visitor rights behind the controversy.
In recent years, many cafés have become popular spots for social media photos due to their unique styles or prime locations, but the resulting foot traffic has gradually brought operational pressures to light. One seaside café in Cangnan County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, made headlines after footage showed staff stopping visitors from accessing the observation deck without first making a purchase.
Video footage from the scene shows a staff member holding a QR code at the entrance, clearly informing visitors that they must scan the code and pay before proceeding to the ocean-viewing platform. Many people who only wanted to take photos expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that the rule of “no purchase, no view” was too strict.
The café is situated on a cliff in Nantou Village, Cangnan County, and can be reached via outdoor stairs or white steps beside the hillside. With its breathtaking sea views and exquisitely designed interior, it quickly attracted large numbers of young visitors after opening. The spacious viewing platform, with its wide-open vistas, also became a favorite spot for people to take stunning photos.
However, as holiday crowds surged, many passersby who saw signs for a “recommended photo spot” treated the observation deck connected to the café as a free attraction, wanting only to take pictures without any intention to buy. The shop admitted that this phenomenon severely impacted operations, with some customers even complaining that the place was too crowded for them to enjoy their coffee properly.
To address the issue, the shop decided to set a consumption threshold, requiring all visitors wishing to enter the viewing platform to first purchase a drink or dessert. This policy gained support from many netizens, who argued that the viewing platform is a key design feature meant to attract customers—“its decoration and maintenance come with costs, and it shouldn’t be treated as a public resource.”
Some commentators pointed out that the brand has another branch nearby, which previously suffered from a decline in service quality due to excessive holiday crowds, with customers complaining about difficulty finding seats and photo backdrops filled with other people. By regulating foot traffic in advance at this new location, the business can maintain environmental quality while ensuring a better experience for consumers.
Industry insiders suggest that similar photo hotspots aiming to balance openness with operations could consider setting up partially free viewing areas or offering low-cost entry options. They also remind visitors to pay attention to the rules before entering private spaces and to respect the business models of shop owners.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
