Harbin Embraces "Unexpected Fortune"

The start of the year was a "homecoming" for Harbin. During the 2024 New Year's Day holiday, Harbin reached a record high in tourist reception and tourism revenue. Arranging frozen pears, bringing symphony orchestras to shopping malls, and building "warmth stations" in squares, Harbin is like welcoming guests home, sharing all the good things. The thoughtful hospitality and various creative initiatives have even locals exclaiming, "Harbin, you're making me feel unfamiliar." This "pleasing-the-public" image is just the surface; behind it lies the scenic area's sincere problem-solving attitude, the government's efficient response to tourist needs, and the friendliness of citizens spontaneously serving tourists.

"City or Not City" Goes Viral

China Travel Wins Global Fans

"City or not city!" In the summer of 2024, an American blogger's use of this "Chinglish" phrase to praise the modernity and sophistication of Chinese cities unexpectedly became a viral meme. Simultaneously, photos and videos about "China Travel" also gained popularity on overseas social media platforms. The comprehensive relaxation and optimization of transit visa-free policies, the expansion of unilateral visa-free and mutual visa-free arrangements, and the improvement of convenience for foreign nationals in China regarding travel, payment, communication, and accommodation…As China continues to promote a higher level of opening up, more and more foreign friends find it more convenient and comfortable to visit China for sightseeing. The beautiful scenery, delicious food, high-speed rail travel, and the hospitable Chinese people have led foreign friends to praise the "city," and the attractiveness of "China Travel" continues to rise.

The Sudden Popularity of Ailao Mountain

Its Proper Way to Explore

"The wind that misses you has blown to Ailao Mountain." During the 2024 National Day holiday, Yunnan's Ailao Mountain gained attention due to an exploration video posted by a blogger. A large number of curious tourists flocked to the area, causing traffic jams. Although Ailao Mountain boasts the reputation of a "biological gene bank" and "China's natural oxygen bar," its undeveloped interior is largely composed of pristine forests, with high mountains, dense forests, harsh weather, and numerous dangers. Local authorities have reminded tourists not to venture into unopened areas and to prioritize safety. In fact, some outer areas of Ailao Mountain have been developed into scenic spots with relatively complete supporting facilities and services, allowing for reasonable check-ins and moderate sightseeing.

Bewitched by a Bowl of Tianshui Mala Tang

A Small Northwestern City's Unexpected Rise ”

What does Tianshui mala tang taste like? In March 2024, Gansu's Tianshui became a trending city thanks to a bowl of mala tang, becoming a new top-tier city. Netizens from all over the country, driven by curiosity about the food, headed straight for this small northwestern city. Tianshui also adopted a "fan-pampering" approach, adding a mala tang bus route, offering discounted scenic area tickets, and launching special tourism routes to welcome tourists from all over the country. After tasting the rich and savory Tianshui mala tang, tourists also visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, the Fuxi Temple, and the Dadiwan Ruins…More people have become familiar with Tianshui's beautiful mountains and rivers and rich culture.

From "Watching" to "Being Immersed"

Captivated by Altay

"My heart arrived in Altay before I did." In the summer of 2024, the TV series "My Altay" became a nationwide hit. What moved viewers was not only the simple story of the Han Chinese girl Li Wenxiu's family and their interactions with local Kazakh herdsmen, but also the beautiful scenery of Altay, which combines snow-capped mountains, meadows, rivers, and forests. For a time, multiple topics such as "Altay Tourism" and "Altay's Turn" topped the trending searches, sparking a tourism boom in Altay. Beautiful scenery nurtures aesthetics, and culture gives rise to stories. Behind Altay's rise to fame is the empathy between the audience and the city, as well as the symbiosis between film and television and tourism.

The Glory of Gold Medals Illuminates Hometowns

At the Paris Olympics, Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the first gold medal in archery, Pan Zhanle created a miracle in swimming, and Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi frequently performed "disappearing splash" dives. The predominantly Gen Z Chinese athletes delivered stunning performances. The proud Chinese red shone brightly on the banks of the Seine and deeply resonated in people's hearts. Tourists visited the athletes' hometowns to experience the same beautiful scenery; local tourism departments invited champions to endorse their hometowns to attract tourists, and more and more hidden gem cities and tourists found each other.

Xiaohua's Barber Shop Becomes Famous

Embarking on a Huaihua Journey Starting from the "Head"

One person made a city famous. In November 2024, a familiar story unfolded again, this time with the hairstylist Xiaohua and her salon in Huaihua, Hunan Province, as the "protagonists." Because she "understands her customers," Xiaohua's barber shop attracted over 200,000 tourists in just a few days. To capitalize on this wave of popularity, the local government quickly expanded streets, repaired roads overnight, added more than 20 stalls showcasing Huaihua's specialties, invited performance groups to perform live, and launched related promotional activities…Getting a "beautiful haircut from Xiaohua and touring beautiful Huaihua" became a top priority for tourists.

The "Chosen Ones" Gather!

Following Sun Wukong to Explore Shanxi's Ancient Buildings

In August 2024, the domestic game "Black Myth: Wukong" exploded upon its release, captivating countless players with its realistic landscapes and magnificent ancient architecture. Because Shanxi Province accounts for 27 out of the game's 36 filming locations, tourists' enthusiasm for "following Sun Wukong to tour Shanxi's ancient buildings" was ignited. During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the game's filming locations, such as Xiaoxitian, Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, were flooded with tourists, with a large number of "chosen ones" (players) flocking to listen to the echoes of history and experience the cultural heritage. Netizens couldn't help but exclaim that Shanxi tourism had "won big time."

Refrigerator Stickers "Win Over" Young People

Becoming a "top influencer" in cultural and creative industries

Nowadays, young people's refrigerators are almost "occupied" by fridge magnets. In the second half of 2024, "internet-famous" fridge magnets such as the Tiangong Caisson, National Museum Phoenix Crown, and Yingqing Underglaze Red Stem Cup repeatedly ran out of stock, making them highly sought after. Many tourists even traveled to a city for a "region-exclusive" magnet. These small fridge magnets not only record travel footprints but also provide positive emotional value, becoming a new type of "knot-tying record" that "captures" young people.

Books hold myriad landscapes.

Explore the beauty of China following textbooks.

Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. In the summer of 2024, "textbook tours" emphasizing "unity of knowing and doing" became popular, with numerous students and parents embarking on trips guided by their textbooks. From the pavilions and terraces in "Summer Palace" to the green mountains on both banks in "Departing from Baidi City in the Morning"; from the beautiful scenery of "Viewing Dongting Lake" to the majestic power of "Viewing Lushan Waterfall"... these repeatedly recited beautiful sceneries from textbooks have transformed into "treasure" check-in spots. "What is learned from paper is superficial; to truly know, one must practice." Tourists experience these places firsthand, and textbook knowledge comes alive before their eyes. Through combining education with entertainment and travel, they not only reinforce their exploration of book knowledge but also appreciate the beauty of the motherland's landscapes from a new perspective.