How popular is tourism in China this summer? High-speed rail is no longer just a means of transportation; it has become a must-visit "attraction" for foreign tourists. The Winter Olympics town has transformed from "snow for one season" to "hot all year round," attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. With the continued development of inbound tourism, some non-traditional tourist spots are becoming the new "top attractions" for overseas tourists visiting China.

High-speed rail wins over global passengers

Foreign tourists are checking in at the "China Speed".

On a high-speed train bound for Nanjing, Fujian, a group of young foreign students traveled from all over the world. Besides Chinese culture and beautiful scenery, they were also looking forward to the world-renowned "China Speed." One tourist from Bosnia and Herzegovina said he had only two goals for his trip to China: to visit the Forbidden City and to ride the high-speed train.

The exhilarating speed and comfortable ride drew their praise, but the surprises didn't end there. The Tulou-style station building became the first sight to behold—its design cleverly blends the cultural essence of the World Heritage Tulou with the functions of a modern station, attracting everyone to stop and take photos.

The China-Laos Railway has become a "star route" for cross-border tourism. Yunnan Province, leveraging this vital transportation corridor, has launched tourism products combining "cross-border travel + intra-provincial loop routes + customized itineraries," connecting popular destinations such as Lijiang, Dali, and Xishuangbanna. This allows overseas tourists brought in by the China-Laos Railway to directly access intra-provincial loop routes, enabling them to explore multiple parts of Yunnan.

In the first seven months of this year, China's railways transported 14.852 million foreign passengers, a year-on-year increase of 32.5%; since the start of the summer travel season on July 1, the China-Laos Railway has transported more than 40,000 cross-border passengers, a year-on-year increase of 46%.

"Traveling through China by train" is becoming a new option for foreign tourists traveling across borders.

Enjoy flowers in spring, escape the heat in summer, admire the scenery in autumn, and ski in winter.

Chongli, the Winter Olympics town, attracts tourists with its year-round business offerings.

Besides high-speed rail, Chongli's various ski resorts have also attracted more tourists this summer.

On one side, mountain bikers from all over the world race on the track, while on the other side, trail runners compete in the mountains.

Since the conclusion of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chongli has implemented 39 venue renovation projects over five years, transforming the National Biathlon Center into a comprehensive outdoor experience base. New Zealand athletes exclaimed that the mountain bike park here "far exceeded their expectations," and were "astonished" by the comprehensive cable car facilities. French athletes came specifically for Chongli's "stunning mountain environment."

This summer, Chongli's ski resorts hosted over 600 competitions and cultural tourism activities, establishing a year-round operating model of "winter skiing, summer riding" and "winter skiing, summer running." They also developed popular leisure activities such as grass skiing, golf, and mountain karting. An American tourist praised Chongli as "an excellent place to relax."

Leveraging its abundant year-round sporting events and cultural tourism activities, coupled with revitalized and upgraded outdoor sports resources, Chongli saw a significant increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting this summer, with their stays also extending. Chen Xulong, head of the Publicity and Education Section of the Chongli District Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, stated that they will continue to develop a year-round tourism ecosystem encompassing "flower viewing in spring, summer retreats, autumn scenery, and winter skiing," aiming to "make Chongli a true sports city."

From high-speed trains that speed through the skies to year-round winter Olympic towns, China is winning over more and more overseas tourists with its speed and vitality. (Source: CCTV Finance)