Tourist attractions across China have seen a surge of international and domestic visitors during the peak summer season.
The Beijing Central Axis has become a popular destination for tourists from home and abroad since it was recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourist trips around the Axis average 2.26 million daily with 3,700 tour groups organized, after the local tourism authorities created thematic routes for tourists to explore historical and cultural spots along the way.
As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the archaeological discovery of the Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.-207 B.C.), the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has received more than 1.8 million visitor trips during this summer peak. Cooling equipment has been installed at the ticket gate of the museum to make the visits more comfortable.
Dunhuang City in northwest China's Gansu Province, renowned for the Mogao Caves, has seen more than double the number of tourists this year than last. Authorities at the Mogao Caves have initiated emergency measures to ensure smooth and orderly visits.
The Shandong Museum in Jinan City in east China's Shandong Province is exhibiting over 1,000 cultural relics, including oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.), attracting 400,000 visitor trips in July.
The ancient canal in Wuxi City in east China's Jiangsu Province, and the lively street performers in the area, attracted over 4 million tourist trips in July. The city has become a popular destination for students and family tours.
"The culture and landscape are appealing, so I brought my child here to experience during the summer vacation," said Huang, a tourist.
Xishuangbanna, in southwest China's Yunnan Province, renowned for its unique flora and fauna, has held scientific activities geared to tourists at the Tropical Botanical Garden, which is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The cool weather in Liupanshui City, in southwest China's Guizhou Province, has become a haven for sports and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, while Chongqing Municipality in southwest China and Gao'an City in east China's Jiangxi Province have laid on water sports and other activities for visitors.
The Beiji (Arctic) Village in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is another popular summer resort for tourists offering an average temperature of a cool 18 degrees Celsius in summer.
"It's vast and the air is fresh. I've got to learn a lot of new plants and animals here," said Guo Xiaomu, a tourist.
Tourist attractions across China embrace surge in visitor numbers
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
