China warns its tourists visiting Antarctica not to touch the penguins

Recently, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the continent has exploded, fueling concerns about the local wildlife

Back in December, China made its first-ever commercial flight to Antarctica, launching a “new era in tapping polar travel,” as well as a new level of concern for the protection of penguins.

But not to worry, the Chinese government has now introduced a new set of rules, aimed at preserving the continent’s wildlife and environment: no hunting, no collecting geological samples, no leaving behind solid waste, and absolutely no disturbing penguins or other local animals.

According to the South China Morning Post, those who violate these rules will be banned from returning to Antarctica for up to three years. While this may not seem like much of a penalty for what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip anyway, these rules will also apply to tour organizers, who are charged with keeping the behavior of their groups in check.

In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Antarctica has exploded — from fewer than 100 in 2008 to nearly 4,000 in 2016 — increasing more than any other nationality. Now, Chinese visitors to Antarctica rank only behind American ones.

These rules come into place just before the Spring Festival travel rush, when the number of Chinese visitors to the frozen continent is expected to spike.

Meanwhile, back in China, it’s apparently fine to dress penguins up in adorable Chinese New Year garb.

As far as following rules and guidelines go, it’s also probably worth mentioning that the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka was forced to remind travelers yet again to be careful on the country’s trains, after yet another tourist fell off one while trying to snap a scenic selfie.