Outdoor activities including cycling and camping have become popular options for holidaymakers in China to spend the week-long National Day holiday that kicked off on Tuesday.
The Qiandao Lake, or Thousand-Island Lake, in Chun'an County of east China's Zhejiang Province has become a popular destination for cyclists from across the country.
With a 2,500 km-long lake shoreline, the Qiandao Lake attracts groups of bikers to enjoy spectacular views along the route while riding the bikes.
The tourist destination has launched services including bike renting and repairing for cyclists to ensure better riding experience. It also has teams of volunteers and first-aid kits, ready to respond to emergencies.
"The views here are very beautiful. I have amazing experience here. The bike could be repaired quickly if it breaks down," said Fang Haoran, a cyclist.
In addition to cycling, camping is also a popular choice for those who want to enjoy natural view to spend their holiday.
In a camping base in Suqian City of east China's Jiangsu Province, dozens of camps are scattered around the green belts along the river, making themselves ideal places for people to hang out with friends, enjoy delicious food and share the happy moments of their life with each other.
At dusk, the tourists here can enjoy splendid views of stunning sunset as the sky glows with golden lights.
The camping base has been holding a series of activities so far in the holiday including outdoor games, music band performance and bonfire party to make the holidaymakers feel happy and free, according to sources with the base.
"It's a wonderful experience to camp here. A bonfire party will be held at night. I will come to the base with my friends again next time to enjoy the beautiful sunset here," said Liu Ziyu, a tourist.
Outdoor activities gain popularity in National Day holiday
Chinese embassies in the Maldives, Senegal and Qatar hosted National Day receptions for the 75th birthday of the People's Republic of China, which fell on Oct 1, with dignitaries and representatives speaking highly of China's developmental achievements.
The Chinese embassy in the Maldives held a reception to mark the anniversary on Monday, drawing more than 300 guests, including Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, other senior officials, representatives from the country's business community and academia, as well as people from Chinese-funded companies.
Muizzu sent his best wishes to the Chinese people at the event, saying that China has demonstrated to the world the power of strategic nation-building and unity.
"China's rise is not just its own story - it is a source of inspiration for all developing nations, including the Maldives. Through the reforms initiated under visionary leadership, China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, creating unprecedented prosperity and becoming the world's second largest economy. For us in the Maldives, China's transformation is a powerful testament to the possibilities that emerge when nations dare to dream big and act decisively," said the president.
The Chinese embassy in Senegal held the reception on Monday at the Museum of Black Civilizations that was designed and constructed by Chinese companies.
The event was attended by Chinese ambassador Xiao Han, Senegalese Minister of Armed Forces Birame Diop, as well as diplomatic envoys from other countries, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese in the African country.
Diop praised the honest friendship and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in his speech.
"On behalf of His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, head of state of Senegal, and the people of Senegal, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and to the people of China. We gather here on the occasion of China's National Day, which once again demonstrates the sincere friendship and exemplary cooperation between our two countries," said Diop.
The National Day reception held at the Chinese embassy in Qatar on Monday gathered more than 600 attendees including Chinese ambassador Cao Xiaolin and Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani.
The attendees wished China prosperity and looked forward to the continuous development of China-Qatar relations.
"As far as the economic achievements I concern during last over 70 years by China, it is a miracle. And I won't say miracle, actually it is a hard work and efforts of the leadership and the people themselves that they are united, achieving this historical, remarkable economic achievements," said Ashraf Siddiqui, president and chief editor of Asian Telegraph Qatar.
A local Chinese learner also expressed his sincere wishes to friends thousands of kilometers away in Chinese language.
"I have learned Chinese for also most one year now, and I learned many things about China. I would like to congratulate Chinese people in Chinese language. (Switch to Chinese) Hello China! Happy National Day," said Yusuf, a Qatari university student.
Chinese embassies host National Day receptions
