China adds two parks to list of UNESCO Global Geoparks
Jul. 10, 2020 (China Daily) — The Xiangxi Geopark in Central Chinas Hunan and Zhangye Geopark in Chinas Gansu were approved as Global Geoparks by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 209th session on July 7. To date, the number of Global Geoparks in China has surpassed one quarter of the worlds total.
China lists 680 villages to promote rural tourism
Jul. 13, 2020 (Xinhua) — Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism has made public a list of 680 key villages for promoting rural tourism. The selection of the villages was carried out based on the development plan for tourism in the countrys 13th five-year plan, and a guideline of the State Council on the vitalization of rural industries.
Chinas travel agencies to resume trans-provincial tours
Jul. 15, 2020 (China Daily) — Travel agencies in China have been given permission to resume group tours that cross provincial borders, following a period of suspension due to the COVID-19. However, group tours are still prohibited in those areas with middle and high COVID-19 risk levels. Overseas group tours are still banned.
North China region to launch sports tourism activities
Jul. 16, 2020 (Xinhua) — Hulunbuir, one of the host cities of the 14th Chinese National Winter Games, will launch a series of sports-themed tourism activities in the summer. The city will hold a skating challenge, ice games, ice hockey and curling competitions until August 31. Tourists can watch the competitions and visit the National Winter Games venues.
Palace Museum announces gradual reopening plan
Jul. 21, 2020 (China Daily) — With Beijing lowering its public health emergency response, the Palace Museum announced it will gradually reopen to the public from July 21 with a limited number of visitors. People can visit the Palace Museum through advancing online reservation, wearing masks, showing the “Green” QR codes and maintaining 1-metre social distance.
Cultural heritage boosts prosperity of ancient villages
Jul. 21, 2020 (China Daily) — An ancient village is seen in Yongtai, a county-level city in east Chinas Fujian Province. Home to over 150 well-preserved ancient villages, the local government has focused on the protection and utilization of its cultural heritage in recent years, resulting in booming rural tourism, which has greatly boosted the local economy.
Panda fans worldwide to gather online for tours of SW Chinas Sichuan
Jul. 21, 2020 (China Culture) — China (Sichuan) Giant Panda Culture and Tourism Week (online) 2020 will be officially launched globally. Visitors from around the world can experience Sichuans beauty, ecology, and humanity online. Tours will be conducted in multilingual versions, including English, Russian, Japanese and other languages.
Tibet receives first trans-regional tour group after months
July. 23, 2020 (Xinhua) — Southwest Chinas Tibet autonomous region on July 22 welcomed members of the first trans-regional tour group since the outbreak of the COVID-19. Tibet announced resumption of trans-regional group tours from July 20, and tourist spots were allowed to host up to 50% of their daily capacity, up from the previous 30%.
China completes a new international airport that doubles the size of Heathrow
Jul. 24, 2020 (China Travel News) — The coastal Chinese city of Qingdao is set for a major tourism boost after the completion of its sprawling new airport, which is twice the size of Londons Heathrow. Shaped like a starfish, Qingdao International Airport offers five connected concourses. The new airport features an ultra-thin stainless-steel roof thats just 0.5 millimeters thick — about the same as a piece of A4 paper. The roof, covering a total area of 223,000 square meters, is said to be the largest of its kind in the world.