Counties near cities see surge in tourism

Counties away from busy cities have become new destinations for tourists seeking diverse landscapes and local customs.

Changxing County in east China's Zhejiang Province is one such place.

During the Spring Festival holiday from Jan 28 to Feb 4, local authorities organized over 100 folk activities, attracting 1.392 million tourists.

"We've watched all the intangible cultural heritage performances, they are really nice. We have had a great time," said a tourist from northeast China.

Since the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou high-speed railway began operating on Dec 26, 2024, traveling from urban areas like Suzhou and Shanghai to nearby counties has become much easier.

"About 70 percent of our guests are from Hangzhou, Shanghai and other places in Jiangsu Province. Many of them have told me that they will come here again after the first month of the lunar year," said Li Dan, who runs a bed-and-breakfast (BNB) in the county.

Huidong County in south China's Guangdong Province is also gaining popularity among travelers, thanks to its unique natural scenery, rich historical and cultural heritage, and favorable location.

The local government has been stepped up efforts to develop coastal tourist attractions and internet-famous spots, drawing more visitors from Hong Kong and Macao while boosting the local BNB business.

"Especially in recent two years, there are more and more tourists from Hong Kong and Macao, boosting the local tourism. Next, we will accelerate the formation of a comprehensive tourism development pattern with coastal tourism as the lead, and rural tourism and revolutionary-themed tourism growing hand in hand," said Li Xuewei, deputy director of the local Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau.

Counties near cities see surge in tourism

A Chinese envoy on Friday condemned any attacks targeting innocent civilians and called on the parties to the Ukraine conflict to cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

All parties should demonstrate political will and flexibility to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council emergency meeting held at the request of the Russian Federation following reports of an attack on a dormitory in Starobilsk in the Luhansk region.

"China has noted the reports of drone attacks on a school in Starobelsk and expresses deep concerns on the casualties it caused, especially those of students. China condemns any attacks targeting innocent civilians. The lingering Ukraine crisis, the ever intensified situation in the battlefield, and the immense miseries of ordinary people, are all things that no party, including China, would like to see," said Fu.

Fu called for calm and restraint, and for the parties to strictly observe international humanitarian law, effectively protect civilians' safety, and cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, so as to promote cooling of the situation, and strive to bring hope for an early return to peace.

China's position on the Ukraine issue is objective, impartial, and consistent, Fu said, adding that Chin is willing to work with the international community and continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis.

Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that the Ukrainian drone attack on a college dorm building on Friday has killed six people dead and injured 40 others.

China condemns attacks on civilians in Ukraine conflict