China is embracing a tourism boom during the upcoming eight-day Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) holiday, falling on Feb.10 this year.
Which attractions are worth exploring in China during the festival? What should foreign visitors pay attention to while traveling across the country? Below are some tour recommendations and tips.
FACILITATED ENTRY POLICIES
-- China adopted a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis last year.-- A set of measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals for business, education and tourism have also been rolled out since last month.
-- China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement at the end of last month, which will come into effect on March 1. The number of countries that have such entry policy with China has increased to 23, including Thailand, Singapore, the Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
-- Use Trip.com app or Qunar.com app for hassle-free bookings of group tours, airline and railway tickets, hotels, and various performances. For assistance, tourists can contact the customer helpline.
-- Explore a plethora of dining options with helpful reviews on Meituan or Dianping apps, China's leading online platforms, covering everything from upscale restaurants to hidden gems.
-- Navigate China confidently with the Baidu Map mobile app, which can also be used to hail cabs, similar to Didi, a prominent ride-hailing service in the country.
-- Make payments with ease through Alipay or WeChat Pay, China's major online payment service providers that now accept international bank cards.
-- To avoid peak travel time, plan your trip for the middle period of the holiday. Check the opening hours of scenic spots and restaurants during the festival to avoid any potential closures.