The country is opening its doors wider than ever, giving guests the opportunity to experience its culture, conveniences, and modern dynamics firsthand. Here is how CCTV+ reports it.
China is opening its doors wider than ever, welcoming a growing number of international travelers through its expanded visa-free policies, allowing more foreign guests to experience the country's culture, conveniences, and modern dynamics firsthand.
Last year, China recorded over 30 million visa-free entries, nearly 50 percent more than the previous year, largely due to the expansion of its unilateral visa-free scheme, which now covers 50 countries, as well as the 240-hour visa-free transit policy allowing visitors to stop over on their way to a third destination.
On one of Beijing's oldest commercial streets, visitors from around the world could be seen strolling, snacking, and immersing themselves in Chinese culture.
"This is a perfectly ideal country, with perfectly wonderful people and a very interesting history. I bought a book about Chinese legends and myths — very, very interesting," said Alexander Shoshin, a tourist from Russia.
"The culture in China is incredible. China's history is 5,000 years old, and it is still alive. The traditions that people follow are still alive," said Ali Saream-Aslani, a tourist from Germany.
For many foreign tourists, the level of public safety is another important factor encouraging them to travel to China. The country ranks among the safest in the world with one of the lowest crime rates, and public satisfaction with safety has exceeded 98 percent for many years in a row.
"First of all, I think the main priority is that the lifestyle here is much safer. So I believe safety is at the highest level," said Asfand, a tourist from Pakistan.
Alongside the country's vibrant culture and traditions, tourists can also see for themselves how its developed infrastructure and modern energy are transforming lives and bringing added convenience to their travels. The authorities of the Chinese capital have also recently launched a unified integrated service platform called "Go Beijing" to make it easier for foreign tourists, providing tips and services on dining, accommodation, transport, sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and public services.
"I use Alipay. I go to restaurants. I don't need to talk to people. I just place an order and everything is paid for, so it's very convenient," said Ruben Tomas, a tourist from Portugal.