Photo: Screenshot of Sina Weibo

As the mercury soars in Beijing, the city is not only basking in the hottest weather of the year but also in the glow of a travel boom that has drawn visitors from abroad with the help of the country's 144-hour visa-free transit policy. As I wandered around well-known tourist spots in Beijing, including the Palace Museum, the Temple of Heaven and the Drum Tower, I had the privilege of engaging with tourists from various countries, and their reactions to China were nothing short of "amazing" - a word that frequently echoed through their conversations.

Visitors from Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Russia all expressed their awe at the stark contrast between the China they have read about in Western media and the vibrant, bustling reality they have experienced firsthand. Their openness to everything Chinese was palpable, from the ancient relics to the modern skyscrapers.

During my stroll through the Palace Museum, I encountered numerous foreign tourists donning traditional Hanfu attire and striking poses for memorable photographs. The enthusiasm was contagious, as evidenced by a group of Dutch tourists who applauded wildly after a performance at the Drum Tower. 

Yvonne, one of the visitors from the Netherlands, shared her astonishment with the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that she had never seen a drum performance like that before.

Yvonne and her friends, after three days in Beijing, were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the city. "Everything in Beijing is 'big,'" she remarked, recalling the massive crowds at the Palace Museum and the intricate dragon designs on the relics. She humorously compared the population of Beijing, which has over 21 million inhabitants, to the entire nation of the Netherlands, which has a population of 17 million.

She continued that it would be better to have three weeks in Beijing, and she hopes to stay in China for about two or three months as "there is too much to see."

Guillermo Torah, a Spanish tourist, praised the visa-free policy that allowed him and his companions to travel to China without hassle. "We were able to come without any trouble, it was something that we really appreciated," he told the Global Times on Tuesday. The ease of travel, he noted, was a significant factor in their decision to visit, as it removed the need for extensive planning.

Alexander from Moscow, Russia, is studying the Chinese language and is taking part in an exchange program in China for about six weeks. He told the Global Times on Tuesday that he was enamored with Chinese culture and architecture, finding the buildings and food to be "beautiful" and "very tasty." Alexander said since he heard that the culture and food between the North and South in China are very different, he plans to visit the cities of Shanghai and Shenzhen. 

"I think that we won't be able to see everything here, even in one or two years, we will need to come back again and again, but I will be happy to come back here, because for me, it is really comfortable here," he said.

Photo: Screenshot of Sina Weibo

Relying on recommendations from the French community in China via Facebook and booking the tickets on her own, Florence Borrelly, a French tourist, came to China with her family.  

Borrelly said they came to China because her son is studying Chinese at school, and that they have been to many cities in China, including Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. She was particularly taken with Hangzhou and its West Lake, describing it as "romantic" and "beautiful." The quality of the shows she and her family attended in various cities also left a deep impression, with the show Memory of Hangzhou at the West Lake being a highlight.

Borrelly was also impressed by the friendliness and openness of the Chinese people, despite language barriers. 

"They are very, very smiley and really try to help tourists," she said. The modern infrastructure, from the cleanliness of the subway stations to the ease of navigation, was also noted as being "almost perfect."

These foreign tourists highlight the deep interest in and positive feedback about the rich cultural heritage and modern advancements of China. Such cultural exchanges and interactions undoubtedly provide a valuable opportunity for enhancing international friendship and understanding. As the world continues to open up, the perspectives of these tourists serve as a testament to the allure and warmth of China, inviting more to discover its wonders firsthand.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn