China's leading online travel website Ctrip.com (CTRP) has countered Golden Holiday's accusations with a lawsuit of its own, accusing Golden Holiday of spreading incorrect information about Ctrip and engaging in improper competition. Ctrip is seeking CNY5 million as compensation.

Golden Holiday had sued Ctrip a few months ago for similar slights. Ctrip prevailed, but Golden Holiday refused to accept the court's verdict and has launched two successive appeals in Tianjin and Hangzhou.

Local media also report Golden Holiday has lodged another appeal at Shanghai's Xuhui People's Court on March 14, asking the Shanghai Department of Industry and Commerce to check into any illegal Ctrip operations.

It is still unclear which court will handle Ctrip's case against Golden Holiday, and a timeline for the proceedings has not been announced.