STORY: "Nihao! China" in Bucharest highlights China's winter tourist attractions
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 13, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 15, 2025
LENGTH: 00:05:10
LOCATION: Bucharest
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the "Nihao! China" event in Bucharest, Romania
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CRISTIAN CIUCIUREANU, General Manager of Itinera Venus Travel
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAULA TOMA, Tour Guide
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SIMONA MICLO, Romanian resident

STORYLINE:

The "Nihao! China" event attracted about 100 Romanian travelers and locals in Bucharest on Monday, offering an immersive glimpse into China's rich winter tourism attractions.
   
Organized by the Chinese Cultural Center, the event featured photo exhibitions, videos, lectures, and interactive cultural experiences showcasing winter sports, folk performances, Chinese cuisine, and natural scenery.
   
The spotlight was on unique winter routes to northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and southwest Sichuan Province. The event also offered visitors authentic Chinese delicacies such as Double Cooked Pork Slices and Sichuan Hot Pot, adding a culinary highlight to the showcase.

Cristian Ciuciureanu, general manager of Itinera Venus Travel, praised China's rich history, natural beauty, and cultural diversity.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CRISTIAN CIUCIUREANU, General manager of Itinera Venus Travel
"When I first planned to visit China, I was not expecting to be so impressed by the people. Because although they are very modern, they still love their traditions so deeply. They wear their traditional clothes. And they are so welcoming. And even though some of them, they don't really speak English, they are ready to help. They make you feel welcome and they make you feel (at) home."

Professional guide Paula Toma, who visited China in 2024, recounted the beauty of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and reminisced about interactions with giant pandas in Chengdu, Sichuan Province's capital.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAULA TOMA, Tour Guide
"My experience in winter in China was in Harbin. In Harbin, I can say, it was really interesting. Because also in Romania we have winter, but it's not that cold like in Harbin. It was really nice. I felt safe. The ice festival was really nice and amazing. I mean all the sculptures, all (that) the people are doing there. All the sculptures on the festival, on the streets -- it is really amazing. The food is also interesting."

Local resident Simona Miclos expressed enthusiasm for China's novel winter attractions and shared her aspiration to explore firsthand the country's ski resorts and magnificent mountain landscapes.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SIMONA MICLO, Romanian resident
"It (China's visa-free policy) was a very nice surprise. And a lot of people were very glad because China is worth visiting for everybody once in a life. And it can facilitate these tours, and let Romanian people learn more about the Chinese civilization, and be in straight contact with the achievements (in) technology and amazing achievements of New China. I had several opportunities to visit China along in the 80s, in the 90s and in the 2000s, and in each visit, you can discover a new China. So it's worth visiting."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bucharest.
(XHTV)