The days of having to remember your ID could soon be a thing of the past. The famous tourist town of Wuzhen, China, is now using facial recognition technology to act as its entry pass through the gates of the attraction. The system uses cameras to notice people as they approach the entry, and checks these against a database of registered visitors within a few seconds. The technology is thought to be up to 99. 77 percent accurate and able to distinguish people better than a human.

Wuzhen is a popular tourist town with visitors going there in large numbers to see its stunning river system and museums. Baidu, a web firm often referred to as “Chinese Google”, created the system. When people now check in to their accommodation, they will have their photo taken and uploaded to a central database upon leaving and re-entering the town, the system will re-check that they are still a guest at a hotel, before allowing them back in.

The technology is being used to track the 5,000 visitors that stay in the town’s hotels every day. Yuan Qing lin, director of the Institute of deep Learning at Baidu, told The Verge, “With our technology, you don’t need to give your ID. When you are approaching a gate, it will take a photo of you and compare that photo to the database.” Wuzhen used to monitor its visitors using a ticket-entry system, but this could easily be abused. It was discovered that some people were sharing their tickets to avoid paying.

Baidu’s system is based on neural networks, which can process huge amounts of data-more than one billion faces. As well as recognizing faces, the system can discover facial movements, so it can’t be fooled by holding a mask. Baidu is also using the software for employee entry at its Beijing headquarters.

These are four famous tourist attractions around the world.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City in Beijing, China, was completed in 1420 during the early Ming Dynasty. It is the largest ancient palatial (宫殿似的) building in the world and it’s open to tourists to allow them to have a look at ancient Chinese architecture.

Niagara Falls State Park

When you arrive at Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll explore the Cave of the Winds to have an up-close look at the falls. The Cave of the Winds is a self-guided tour, which means you can spend as much time as you would like. There is no need to make a reservation (预订).The Cave of the Winds closes during winter, so make sure it’s open before visiting.

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is a statue in Copenhagen, Denmark. It sits on a roc kin the harbor. It was inspired by a performance of a ballet based on the fairytale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. It was presented to the public on 23 August, 1913. And there are many tourists taking photos with the Little Mermaid every year.

The Taj Mahal

As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of India. It is considered as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a mix of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles.

Are you longing to spend a perfect romantic weekend in Scotland? Here is our pick of the most romantic hotels there. Just don’t blame us if you get home and find you’ve left your heart there.

Gleneagles Townhouse

9/10 Rating

With a dramatic restaurant, a state-of-the-art gym, and a luxurious rooftop bar, the hotel is a combination of country house and modern style. Bedrooms are all soft light colours, with classic furniture and thick carpets. The best rooms overlook the City Hall in St Andrew Square, but you may wish to avoid if bothered by the trams (电车) passing below.

The Three Chimneys

8/10 Rating

Stretching on the shore of Lake Dunvegan, the restaurant keeps much of its modest character, with stone walls and low ceilings. The rooms, in another building, are airy, high-ceilinged and contemporary. Staff greet you with tea and home-baked cakes in the hall with a wood-burning stove, and telescopes for birds, sea lions and star-spotting.

Inverlochy Castle Hotel

9 /10 Rating

Queen Victoria said she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot” than Inverlochy Castle in 1873, and it remains as impressive as ever, lying at the foot of Mountain Ben Nevis. Dinner begins with a drink by the fire in the Great Hall, followed by a five-course menu. In this old country house, you can feel a sense of time suspended.

Kylesku Hotel

8 /10 Rating

This delightful small hotel, parts of which date from the 17th century, offers stylish accommodation and splendid local seafood on a tiny island looking out across Lake Glendhu. It’s located in a beautiful, remote region of the Scottish Highlands, making it perfect for those who love hillwalking, wild swimming and bird-watching.