Overseas Travelers Explore Chengdu Sichuan
Five groups of foreign veteran travelers were recently invited to Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, to explore the city on different routes.
The travelers came from Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia – Chengdu's top five sources of tourists. They were assigned different tasks during their three-day tours, including feeding the giant pandas, tasting Chengdu cuisine and exploring the ancient towns nearby.
Titled the "Easy Trip Chengdu Challenge", the trips were a warm-up for the 2016 China Travelers' Forum, which will be held in Chengdu in March. The forum is a joint effort by the Chengdu tourism bureau, Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group and Chinese e-tourism giant Ctrip.com.
The challenge puts the city under spotlight, so overseas tourists can gain a better knowledge of Chengdu's unique natural resources, historical heritage and unparalleled cuisine. Meanwhile, it allows veteran travelers to evaluate Chengdu’s tourism products, which will help authorities improve and fine-tune the industry, a local tourism official.
This was the first time overseas travelers were invited to take part in the China Travelers' Forum, which will enhance its influence as a tourism festival with global outreach, according to Ctrip.
Other activities, including a summit on big data and social marketing, an experience-sharing seminar and awards ceremonies will be held during the forum.
Chengdu, known as the "Capital of Leisure" and one of the best tourism cities of China, is expected to attract more overseas tourists as the forum draws wide attention from domestic and foreign media, said the official.
Yang Zhou from Singapore tries ear massage in People's Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
Hui Kei and his family from China's Hong Kong make a snowman in Xiling Snow Mountain.
Jessamine Barnieh and her husband Edward Kwame Barnieh from London, UK, walk through a lane in an ancient town.
Jessamine Barnieh and her husband Edward Kwame Barnieh from London, UK, walk through a lane in an ancient town.
Victoria Louise McEwan and Elaina Bird from Sydney, Australia, pose with a panda model in Qingcheng Mountain.
Participating global travelers:
Name: Jessamine Barnieh and Edward Kwame Barnieh
Country: London, England
Instagram: JESSO
Number of fans: 71,700
Introduction: Jessamine is a copywriter. She loves traveling and taking photographs in her spare time
Route: In the Easy Trip challenge, this couple went into historic towns in Chengdu to enjoy their old style charm and tranquility, which cannot be found in hectic urban life.
Name: Serena Yue Liang Goh
Country: New York, USA
Instagram: THESERENAGOH
Number of fans: 41,600
Introduction: Serena works in a financial company. She loves fashion and traveling. Her blog is a fashion guideline for many young people.
Route: Serena, through this cultural voyage, showed the world the human implication of Chengdu, which, as a famous cultural city, has not only aggressive development strength, but also an unrestrained social attitude.
Name: Hui Kei, traveling with his wife and child
Country: Hong Kong, China
Introduction: Hui was born in the 1980s in Hong Kong. He has published more than 10 books, such as What If and Compatriot, Please Calm Down.
Route: Hui and his family explored itineraries for family travel in Chengdu, including pandas and marine animals and staying close to nature.
Name: Victoria Louise McEwan and Elaina Bird
Country: Sydney, Australia
Instagram: Freedomtravelproject
Number of fans: 12,000
Introduction: Victoria and Elaina both quit their repetitive jobs and started a life of adventure together.
Route: They went on a journey to experience traditional Chinese healthcare, including hot springs, foot massage and herbal chicken.
Name: Yang Zhou
Country: Singapore
Instagram: AARONONROAD
Number of fans: 11,000 fans
Introduction: Yang is the founder of BITE OF SG – the largest Chinese delicacies review platform in Singapore.
Route: Yang explored various unique Chengdu dishes, from state banquets to snacks to small restaurants.
