Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Over the past months, China's genuine interest in welcoming more international visitors can be best manifested in its expanding visa-free policy and the introduction of 144-hour visa-free transit to a large number of ports and countries. The move has fueled a surge of foreign bloggers eager to capture China's allure. "China Travel" is now a trending topic among these international content creators. As their numbers grow, they're increasingly uncovering the "other side" of the country, going beyond the surface.

As a Canadian blogger, the visa-free policy made my trips to China very convenient because I didn't have to go through the hassle of applying for a visa. It simply gave me peace of mind, knowing that I could enter China with a visa on arrival, making my travel experience stress-free and efficient. Visas are always tricky and applying for one to a country you're not familiar with is even trickier. The implementation of the visa-free policy for foreigners was an ingenious move by the tourism board. 

There were many differences between what I heard about China growing up in Canada and what I actually experienced when I first visited the country. Most of the news I saw painted a negative picture, pushing issues like pollution, safety concerns and the idea that it's not even safe for its own citizens, let alone for tourists. 

After visiting China, I realized how much progress the country has made. As someone who travels internationally, I was truly amazed. The cities were clean, the transportation system was world-class, and the people were warm and hospitable. This side of the country is rarely portrayed in the media, so it's up to people like me to show the world through social media what China is really like. 

There are several common prejudices about China that often stem from misinformation. For example, many people think that China is extremely polluted. While China has faced pollution issues in the past, I've read that major efforts have been made to improve air quality. Another common misconception is China is unsafe. In my experience, I felt that it is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and strict law enforcement. Lastly, I think many think that China is completely controlled and that people have no freedom - while China has a different political system, I observed that life for the average citizen is often much freer and more modern than outsiders expect.

The Chinese people are often misunderstood, largely because many foreigners believe what they are told rather than experiencing the country for themselves.

From my own experiences, I found China to be incredibly safe, with kind and welcoming people, amazing food, and a rich, fascinating culture. Traveling within the country is also extremely convenient thanks to its great infrastructure. In North America, our only options of travel are long car rides or expensive plane tickets, especially in Canada. In China, they offer the world's longest high-speed rail network, which is something that I found very convenient as a traveler. It is easier, often faster and more comfortable than driving or taking a plane ride. 

Additionally, when traveling anywhere, one of the first factors to consider when selecting a destination country is its safety. In this regard, China is a great option because it is extremely safe. I have been to four cities in China and not once did I feel like I had to look over my shoulder, no matter what time of day it was. I always felt safe.

I believe the best way to show the world the real China is through cultural exchange programs and opening up further to tourism. There is huge potential in Chinese tourism, neighboring countries attract millions of visitors each year, and while they are undoubtedly beautiful, China is just as stunning, if not more. This is a major opportunity that I think China should focus on.

The author is a Canadian travel content creator who has recently traveled to China. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn