Chinese tourists spurn shopping to sample culture in US travels

It has become fashionable for Chinese tourists to travel to the United States during the Spring Festival holiday and immerse themselves in culture.

A tour of the Library of Congress, an ice hockey game and a Broadway musical were among the highlights of Angela Xie's weeklong trip.

"With less shopping, I have more time to experience local culture in-depth," said Xie from Shanghai. "A senior-aged guide at the Library of Congress explained in detail the construction of the library with great passion."

Xie added that she was impressed with the value placed on history even though the US is a young country.

Recalling an ice hockey game at the Capital One Arena, Xie said it was unforgettable. "Men and women, old and young, they were all screaming and shouting－it was so exciting."

Many Chinese tourists are flocking to museums to understand the diverse culture.

Chu Li and her teenage son from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, plan to visit museums of Native Americans and Africans in their two-week trip. "We've done some research in advance," Chu said. "We just want to learn more about the cultures of the minorities."

As more Chinese become open-minded in their food choices, their interest in Western food has grown.

Shao Rongjia from Shanghai said she and her cousin would visit a famous cupcake shop in Georgetown, Washington, DC. They also plan to eat at a seafood restaurant near the White House because "US presidents have reportedly dined there".

Xie said a pastrami sandwich brunch in Manhattan, New York was unique. "It was so delicious," Xie said. "I also enjoyed the restaurant's atmosphere. It felt so American."

The number of Chinese tourists visiting the US has grown steadily in recent years. China is now the fifth-largest country of visitor origin. It follows Canada, Mexico, Britain and Japan, according to the US National Travel and Tourism Office.

Their latest forecast says the number of Chinese tourists will reach 3.23 million in 2018 and exceed 4 million in five years' time.

Instead of popular tourist attractions, more Chinese tourists have been turning toward cultural and educational experiences－and spending less time shopping.

After walking into several clothing stores in New York, Xie did not buy a single item. "I just want to buy something I really like. I don't have any list," Xie said.

She said she is now less inclined to buy cosmetics and clothes on overseas trips. Xie finds it more convenient to purchase foreign products at home via cross-border e-commerce platforms, such as the NetEase Kaola and the Little Red Book.

Xie said she would rather buy souvenirs at museum gift shops, because they have special characteristics.

Her idea is echoed by Qu Bo from Beijing. He spent money at the National Air and Space Museum, which was his son's favorite stop during their 10-day trip.

"He is especially interested in this area. He saw a lot of airplane models and even selected a book himself," Qu said, showing a freshly bought English-language book on the history of space exploration.

With a 10-year multiple-entry visa, Chinese tourists can easily travel to the US without planning far ahead.