Spectacular autumn views wow tourists across China

Spectacular autumn views with vibrant hues of crimson, amber and gold are captivating tourists across China, inviting them to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the season.

In scenic spots in Beijing, including the Badaling Great Wall and Xiangshan Park, the vibrant red leaves are reaching their best viewing period. Local authorities are promoting various tourist routes, allowing people to fully embrace the enchanting autumn charm.

In Changchun City of northeast China's Jilin Province, five streets with the most beautiful fallen leaves views have been transformed into popular tourist attractions, with trams shuttling and tourists flocking in and taking photos.

In Benxi City of northwest China's Liaoning Province, over 17,600 hectares of maple trees, featuring over 10 different varieties, have seen a surge in popularity. So far, the area has welcomed 4.9 million tourists, an increase of over 43 percent year on year.

As many tourists choose to travel after the just-concluded National Day holiday (Oct 1- Oct 7), seeking to save costs and enjoy the scenery in a more relaxed manner, attractions are witnessing another peak in tourist traffic.

The vast forests in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province have ushered in their most beautiful season of the year, showcasing stunning natural beauty and offering tourists an opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique customs of the local Hezhe ethnic group.

The local railway department in southwest China's Yunnan Province, renowned for its stunning autumn scenery, has added new railway routes to accommodate shifting passenger flows. Major hotels and homestays are also offering special promotions to attract tourists.

"We've always dreamed of visiting Shangri-La. We decided to come here after the National Day holiday to avoid the peak traffic and fully enjoy the unique autumn landscape," said He Xiaoqin, a tourist.

In a village of Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the golden populus euphratica forest, expansive desert and crystal-clears lake create a picturesque landscape, attracting about 6,000 tourists every day.

In a national forest park in Suqian City of east China's Jiangsu Province, over 130 hectares of vibrantly blooming flowers have become a popular destination for short-distance tours, drawing in nearby residents.

In the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the recent launch of a high-speed train from the provincial capital, Chengdu, has led to a surge of visitors, with over 23,000 tourists arriving daily.

Spectacular autumn views wow tourists across China

Sudan is battling a food security crisis amid a deadly armed conflict, which has contributed to significant increases in the prices of essential commodities, said a report released Sunday by the U.N. World Food Program (WFP).

According to the agency's Sudan Market Monitor report, the cost of the WFP Local Food Basket rose to 2,231 Sudanese pounds in September, which represented a 16-percent increase from August and a 237-percent surge year on year.

Last month, the price of sorghum surged to 2,021 Sudanese pounds per kilogram, reflecting a sharp 25-percent jump from August and a shocking 371-percent rise compared with September 2023, said the report.

Wheat flour also saw a notable rise, with prices reaching 3,540 Sudanese pounds per kilogram, up 25 percent from the previous month and 194 percent from the same period last year, it said.

Additionally, the Sudanese pound depreciated slightly in the parallel market, falling by 2 percent to approximately 2,600 Sudanese pounds per U.S. dollar, marking a 225-percent decline in value since September 2023. This situation underscores the ongoing inflation and currency challenges that are making it increasingly difficult for households to afford basic necessities.

Sudan has been ravaged by a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023. The conflict has resulted in approximately 20,000 deaths, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of millions, according to recent estimates by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

One and a half years of violence in Sudan has also created what the WFP warned this March the "world's largest hunger crisis", with nearly 25.6 million people, or over half of the Sudanese population, facing food insecurity, according to U.N. estimates.

Sudan's food crisis deepens as conflict drags on: WFP report