Starting from August 10, IDs have been required to buy ferry tickets from Xiamen ferry service both in person and online. Ticket checking procedures at ferry ports have also been tightened.

Travel agencies buying group tickets in bulk for its clients online are required to provide clients' personal information within a certain time frame. Tour guides will also be required to present a boarding certificate before group tickets can be checked.

Any travel agency found to be reselling tickets for profit will have their tickets and bookings cancelled by the ferry company. They will also be denied service for six months.

The new measures are designed to crack down on the rampant ticket scalping activities reported by the West Strait Morning Post.

According to the report, a 30-yuan ticket from Xiamen Island to Gulangyu Island can be resold from anywhere between 100 yuan ($15.59) and 300 yuan.

Travellers could choose to buy tickets beforehand online. And they should always remember to bring all passenger IDs. It is advised to avoid traveling during morning peak hours.

Xiamen Ferry Company operates several routes from Xiamen Island to Gulangyu Island.