Thanks to a newly relaxed visa-free entry policy, the Chinese mainland is welcoming a fresh wave of international travelers eager to go beyond postcard landmarks. Instead of just ticking off the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, many visitors are diving into immersive cultural experiences.
Dominic Callum de Couto, co-founder of local cultural experience company Our Beijing, notes a clear shift in demand. "Tourists now want to connect with communities, learn traditional crafts and sample home-style cuisine," he tells CGTN. Bookings for hutong walking tours, calligraphy workshops and tea ceremonies have surged as travelers seek authentic stories behind each neighborhood.
Across cities and countryside alike, visitors are swapping guided buses for rickshaw rides through narrow alleys, joining folk art studios to paint paper lanterns, and signing up for regional cooking classes that highlight local flavors. These hands-on adventures offer a window into daily life, from Uygur dough-twisting sessions in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to bamboo weaving in Sichuan villages.
For young global citizens and digital nomads looking to explore the real China, integrating with local hosts and small businesses is key. Opt for homestays in renovated courtyard homes, attend community-led festivals and use local apps to discover pop-up cultural fairs—these tips can turn a standard itinerary into a memorable cultural odyssey.
As the Chinese mainland opens its doors wider, a more authentic China awaits those ready to trade the tourist checklist for genuine connection.
Reference(s):
Tourists in China seek authentic experiences, traditional sightseeing
cgtn.com
