This October holiday, “China Travel” is hot. Since the “City not city” went viral on the Internet this summer, countless foreign bloggers began to compete to photograph and post what they saw and heard when traveling in China. More and more foreigners come to various cities in China to explore the beautiful scenery and food, experience the high-speed rail speed, and feel the convenient life.
What is the “traffic password” that foreign tourists come to? More than 110 measures to facilitate foreign nationals’ coming to China, 144-hour transit visa-free range increased to 37 ports and 54 countries, continued to optimize visa-free entry and port visa policies, and continuously improved the convenience of foreigners coming to China… The policy of continuous opening up is precisely China’s increasing “magnetic attraction”. So what’s it like to travel to China?
Foreigners visit China like natives
Recently, the Max couple from Germany were enjoying their three-week trip to China. Two days earlier, they had just boarded a high-speed train to Guangzhou, their last stop.
Mr. And Mrs. Max, German tourist: We went to Changsha and the people here are very helpful, we don’t speak Chinese, but it doesn’t matter, the people here always help us, difficulties are always solved, it’s really great. Some small programs provide a lot of convenience for our travel, such as Alipay, which is very important for us, can be used for our German bank account, the translation app can translate into Chinese, we can take photos, it can translate everything, we travel very convenient.
In addition to the beautiful scenery and delicious food, “convenience” is also one of the biggest feelings of foreign tourists to China. Since April this year, foreigners taking subways in cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai and Suzhou have been able to buy tickets directly by swiping foreign bank cards.
No mobile phone scan code, no need to prepare change, and now in some cities, travel, shopping, hotel accommodation, etc., can be brushed national bank cards. Many places have also introduced refined and convenient service measures in accordance with local conditions, providing inbound tourists with relevant guidelines for handling mobile phone cards, registering mobile payments, transportation guidance, and scenic spot hotel reservations. The service keeps up, so the traffic can catch up. Statistics show that in the first seven months of this year, foreign tourists visiting China increased by 403% year-on-year.
Not only are there more of them, these foreign tourists are also staying longer in China. Many people are no longer satisfied with “passing the time” to punch the scenic spot, they enter the food market, snack bar, turn into a video blogger, and feel China in all aspects.
Ivan, Russian tourist: Let’s take a look at the legendary Internet celebrity Twin Tower market, which is completely different from the food market I imagined, clean and sanitary, and there is a food court in the food market.
Mickey, American tourist: This is a vertical parking garage in Suzhou. I haven’t seen it anywhere else. It’s amazing. It’s cool.
Foreign Language Guide: There are many foreigners who want to know more about China
As a foreign language tour guide, waiting at the airport for tourists who have just landed in Shanghai is Liu Bing’s first job every day. He received several tourists from Southeast Asian countries, and Yu Garden was their first stop.
Liu BING, Shanghai TOUR guide: More and more foreigners are coming recently. They are very interested in the architecture here, such as the pavilions in the garden, as well as the small Bridges and flowing water.
The Bund is also a popular spot for foreign tourists to clock in Shanghai. Here, they not only feel the speed of China’s development, but also praise the degree of security in China.
Liu Bing, Shanghai tour Guide: Some guests told me that no matter what time it is when I walk in the streets of Shanghai, I always feel particularly safe.
Liu Bing, Shanghai tour guide: After the “144-hour transit visa-free” policy came out, more and more foreign tourists. Tourists from countries that were not brought before are now appearing more frequently. I want to show them a more comprehensive Shanghai and a more comprehensive China. After returning home, they went to tell their relatives and friends that the current China had undergone earth-shaking changes compared with the past.
“post-90s” Filipino girls fell in love with traditional Chinese culture
With drinks delivered by drones and rides in driverless cars, China’s development has struck some foreigners as incomprehensible. But that’s not all there is to China, where you can experience modern life and the future while savoring the long history and ancient traditions.
Char Magbuhos, a Filipino girl born in the 1990s, is a lover of traditional Chinese culture. Tea art, traditional Chinese medicine, cheongsam… In her spare time, she always experiences it everywhere and shares it with more foreign friends through the lens.
Char Magbuhos, young Filipino traveler in China: I actually drink tea on a regular basis, but I did not know that there are many procedures for drinking tea, and it is also very exquisite. I think my current Chinese is not enough to express the feeling of being present. Chinese culture is alive, full of vitality, creativity and innovation. For example, an ancient painting can be printed on a teacup, a cushion or even silk embroidery, so that people around the world can more easily experience the creativity of Chinese culture.
Char MagBUhoS, YOUNG Filipino traveler in China: Chinese medicine is also growing in China. I went to Tongrentang the other day and they have launched health water. I also drank it yesterday, I think it is very interesting, I specially took a Vlog, I hope more of my friends to know about Chinese medicine.
Char MagbuhoS, YOUNG Filipino traveler in China: There are so many activities and places in Beijing where you can experience Chinese culture. I really like cheongsam, I think it is so beautiful. New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival we must wear red, because my Chinese friends tell me that I must wear red, why is that? Meaning this year will be good
