Written by: People's Daily
Posted on: December 04, 2018 | 
| 中文
Night Tour on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
China has always been a popular tourism destination for foreigners. Apart from its time-honoured history, charming culture, beautiful landscapes and people's hospitality, modern China is attracting more and more visitors from overseas, with the updated advantages and development in the tourism sector.
Every night, especially on weekends, Wang Lisi and her German restaurant in Shanghai receive many foreign guests. Her place is located in the Foreigners Compound 101, Hongmei Road, of the coastal metropolitan of China. It has become a recreation centre with more than 30 restaurants and bars; all run by foreigners from 18 countries and attracting foreigners who are travelling, studying or working in China. In Wang's memory, there were few places in Shanghai 15 years ago, where the foreigners could go for social activities. To change the situation, Shanghai launched a special development plan, to promote the city as an international consumer city with night markets.
Similar to Shanghai, many Chinese cities have given more attention to building up their nightlife images, with specially made tourism products. This has opened up another window for foreign visitors, to understand China with even more colourful experiences.
One netizen shared his night tour experience of Haihe River of Tianjin Municipality through a micro-blog. From Jiefang Bridge to Sanchahekou, passing over the Eye of Tianjing, the participants viewed the best river scenes at night. On the same boat was an elderly Italian couple, who used to live at the Italy Concession in their childhoods. Revisiting the old haunt but also new places with skyscrapers and shining neon lights, they sighed and said that the old buildings were still well kept while new establishments at the sides of the river were equally nice. At Guangzhou, there are six famous spots for night visiting, namely Zhujiang River (Pearl River), City-night Overlook at Mount Baiyunshan Circus Night, Changlong Themed Park, Bars in Bai'etan Riverside, CBD night lives at Tianhe District and downtown shopping malls, all of which have helped win praise for the city. Many now claim that the best time in Guangzhou comes when the night falls.
After a wonderful tour of Jiangsu Province of South China, an Australian couple made a short video and put it online. It showed their stops at the Chinese classic gardens, watching Kunqu Opera and tasting local snacks. Addicted to canal scenery, they made a special visit to the renowned Beijing-Hangzhou Canal at night. They said, “This video will persuade you to visit China!” In fact, their work did arouse wide interest among international and domestic visitors. One Chinese viewer named Zhang Yaya left her comment, “This foreigner-made video has shown us the most beautiful aspects of China from their eyes.”
Shanghai Subway announced a one hour addition to their operations on weekends for several routes, so as to facilitate the night activities of its citizens. At the 2017 Shanghai Shopping Festival, the first group of 9 special consuming demonstration areas, started their operations with easy communications and consuming service, stylish in both international and Shanghai styles, becoming new attractions for domestic and foreign visitors.
In Nanjing city, Jiangsu Province, the night of Xuanwu Lake is amazingly brightened with lights in red, yellow, blue and green, etc. In a tour around the lake bank, one can experience the seasonal scenery with traditional Chinese features: spring birth, summer growth, autumn harvest and winter storage. The Xuanwu Lake at night has become the most appealing spot of Nanjing. While in Nanchong city, Sichuan Province, with the implementation of Night Tour of Jialinjiang River project, 26 scenic spots in the city could be joined together for an integrated night tour.
The reason behind the popularity of Foreigners' Street among overseas visitors in Shanghai, lies in its combination of both international dynamic cultures and local Shanghai characteristics. Therefore, the cultural highlights were added, such as the Sichuan Opera Change-face Show and dancing shows, to enrich the content of natural attractions.
Out of the popular cities for foreigners, Chengdu city, capital of Sichuan Province always features as a city with nightlife. A night tour of Jinlin Folk Town is a must, with its delicious snacks, folk cultural shows and tea breaks. Culture definitely is the most inviting aspect for visitors coming to Sichuan.
Attracted by the brand name of "Night Tour of Jiaohe Ancient City," French student Paulina had an interesting tour of Turpan, Xinjiang, last July. In 2014, the Silk Road Changan to Tianshan Corridor Network, was enlisted as the World Natural Heritage by UNESCO, and two ancient cities of Turpan, Jiaohe and Gaochang, were included in the sites. Fascinated by its fame, more and more foreigners come to Turpan for a visit. Besides sightseeing, the night tour also includes a cultural show of ethnic instrument playing, recitation of poems and Muqam performances, all presented by local folk artists of Turpan. “The ancient city seems alive at night, with special charm and vigour. I can feel the charms of intangible cultural heritage in my heart in this way,” Paulina said.
Translated by Wu Jinying
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