The origins of the rating system for tourist attractions are based on criteria first set out in 1999 by the
China National Tourism Administration (predecessor to the current Ministry of Culture and Tourism) and revised in 2004. The criteria include quality and management factors like ease of transportation links, site safety, cleanliness, etc., and also takes into account the uniqueness and recognition of the sightseeing offers. On rare occasions, a few locations have been downgraded from the highest rating category for deficiencies in visitor experience. ==List==