Travel trend reshaping global perspectives

From the bustling capital city of Beijing to the mountainous city of Zhangjiajie, China is abuzz with an influx of foreign tourists.

As many of them share their experiences online, "China Travel" has become a buzzword on overseas social media. Their firsthand stories offer fresh perspectives that debunk the claims perpetuated by some Western media outlets against China, and give foreigners a more comprehensive and authentic view of China.

"Most of my knowledge of China is limited to what I've heard in the news cycles over the last few years," Australian video blogger Josie says in a vlog about her first journey in China.

After visiting the eastern city of Shanghai, she says that what she saw really surprised her.

"Most of the concerns I had about China were simply not coming true. As I explored more of the city, constant smiles, curious kids and the general friendliness of everyone we met made me so comfortable and welcomed," she says.

Josie's experiences are echoed by millions of foreign tourists who are wowed by China's advancements in modern technology and rich culture as they ride the trend of China travel.

Many highlighted keywords like "unexpected", "never imagined", or "unbelievable" on social media to describe their travels in China.

Hidetoshi Tashiro, chief economist of Japan's Infinity LLC, who also recently traveled to Shanghai, says he did not see the so-called "desolate scenes" in Chinese cities mentioned in some news reports.

"What I saw were fuel-powered and electric vehicles driving alongside each other on the roads, as well as bustling new construction sites," he says.

"From cashless payments to traffic guidance systems, almost every aspect of China's society has been digitized. The streets are clean and the cityscape is beautiful," he adds.

Besides major cities and landmarks popular with foreigners, many lesser-known cities and even villages are on the radar. Smaller and bespoke tours are also emerging to fulfill these needs.

For example, Zhangjiajie in Hunan province stands out for its 569 percent increase in inbound tourists in the first half of this year. With its primordial forests and splendid mountains, foreign travelers are eager to see the magnificent natural landscape.

Sichuan province has become a popular destination for foreign tourists, particularly from South Korea. This surge can be attributed to the introduction of "panda tourism" itineraries by South Korean travel agencies.

Jaeho Hwang, director of the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation, says that as more international tourists visit China, misunderstandings and prejudices will gradually diminish.

"People from all over the world will truly understand the wonders of Chinese culture and the enthusiasm of the people," he says.

This surge of excitement has been ignited by China's expanding visa-free policy and improved services for inbound tourists.

The country has rolled out a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries on a trial basis and has expanded the coverage of its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry, allowing nationals of 54 countries the opportunity for short-term travel and business visits.

It has also taken measures to improve services such as easing the use of mobile payment for foreigners, implementing reservation-free entry policies at scenic spots, and offering multiple languages and payment methods to assist international travelers in purchasing tickets without too much trouble.

Thanks to these efforts, 14.64 million foreign nationals entered China through various ports in the first half of this year, an increase of 153 percent year-on-year. Remarkably, 8.54 million foreigners entered visa-free, a 190 percent leap from the previous year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

"This demonstrates China's determination to expand people-to-people exchanges and improve the institutions and mechanisms of opening-up," says Hwang.

As the world seeks a deeper understanding of China, the country welcomes this enthusiasm and curiosity. With an increasing number of foreign travelers visiting China, their stories will transcend borders and foster mutual understanding.