STORY: China 2024: How culture empowers tourism
SHOOTING TIME: File
DATELINE: Dec. 26, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:15
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of China's tourism industry
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): COLUM MURPHY, Irish tourist
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PETROS LIGOXYGAKIS, Greek tourist
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): Russian tourists
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Tourist from Lesotho
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): Hungarian tourist

STORYLINE:

In 2024, China has seen a boom in cultural and tourism consumption. Efforts are being made nationwide to better integrate traditional Chinese culture with tourism, creating new consumption scenarios with the rise of a "China chic" trend.

Historical towns and streets embrace new trends

Tianjin Municipality
Changde, Hunan Province
Luoyang, Henan Province
Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

More and more young Chinese people would like to don Hanfu (Chinese traditional attire) in cultural venues to experience intangible cultural heritages and immerse in the richness of traditional culture.

Trending topics inspire new travel itineraries

Following the debut of China's hit game "Black Myth: Wukong," China's Shanxi Province, which features many of the game's filming locations, has seen a surge in visitors eager to "follow in the footsteps of Wukong."

Xiaoxitian Temple
Yuhuang Temple
Shuanglin Temple

During the week-long National Day holiday, Shanxi saw an 84.99% year-on-year increase in domestic tourist visits.

Tianshui, Gansu Province
In March 2024, Tianshui's numbing-spicy hotpot "Malatang" went viral on Chinese social media, 
bringing an influx of tourists to the city and spurring cultural and tourism consumption in the region.

Many travelers were attracted to the Maijishan Grottoes, which date back over 1,600 years and contain sculptures and paintings in caves built into cliffs.

"Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow,"
a national treasure at Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou City

July 27, 2024
The Beijing Central Axis was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. 
It has inspired new tourism products including a mobile mini-program called "Digital Central Axis."
It offers users an immersive, interactive experience to explore the historical and cultural landmarks traversing the heart of the Chinese capital.

China's hit TV series "To the Wonder," aired in May 2024, has made Altay in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region a new trendy tourism destination

"China Travel" popular among foreign visitors

In 2024, China has further expanded its visa-free policies, relaxed its visa application requirements, and optimized travel, language, and payment services to enhance convenience for foreign travelers.
"China Travel" has become a trending topic on social media, attracting travelers worldwide

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): COLUM MURPHY, Irish tourist
"I think it's a very good thing, it makes traveling a lot easier."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PETROS LIGOXYGAKIS, Greek tourist
"I feel very safe, and it's very easy to do everything, even if you don't speak the language."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): Russian tourists
"The history of China fascinates us."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Tourist from Lesotho
"The culture, the craftsmanship, the pottery, everything, the sculpting is top-notch."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): Hungarian tourist
"I felt the city (Xi'an) is very welcoming. It's traditional and it's cool at the same time, which is very rare."

China received around 95 million international visitors in the first three quarters of this year, up nearly 80% year on year.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)