Int'l travelers won over by Chinese films keen for tours around China

Many international visitors, captivated by the rich and diverse culture showcased in Chinese films, are traveling to China to experience its ancient heritage up-close, a trend further boosted by a movie-themed tourism campaign launched by China's film authorities.

The campaign, sponsored by the China Film Administration and China Media Group, was launched in February, aiming to encourage international audiences to discover China through cinema while boosting tourism spending.

As Chinese films are gaining growing global influence in recent years, China's unique cultural charm has drawn increasing international attention.

Among those drawn to China by its cinematic appeal are the passengers of the "Europa 2", a cruise ship that arrived in north China's Tianjin Municipality late in February with over 400 tourists from Germany, Switzerland, and some other countries.

Many of them embarked on this journey to explore China's landscapes, traditions, and history they had previously seen on the big screen.

One such traveler is German artist Eddie Noskovs, who developed a deep interest in China years ago through films. This trip has provided him with fresh cultural inspiration.

"I saw a lot of movies related to Beijing and Shanghai. I think this land is so big, so versatile. You can never get enough of it," said Noskovs.

Local authorities in Tianjin have launched various film-themed travel routes to welcome international visitors, including visits to famous filming locations and cultural experience activities related to Chinese films.

As Chinese animated feature "Ne Zha 2" has shattered multiple box office records in China and beyond, many passengers are looking forward to watching the blockbuster.

"I'm interested in watching it. I would like to watch it. I hope they will show the film in Switzerland," said Verena Rahm, a tourist from Switzerland.

Int'l travelers won over by Chinese films keen for tours around China

Multiple states across Brazil have been gripped by an intense heatwave in recent days, prompting local authorities to issue weather alerts and urging residents to take precautions, with the high temperatures forecast to continue.

Southeastern states including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais have been experiencing the most extreme heat, with temperatures climbing to a sweltering high of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

Authorities across the country have been sending out weather warnings, with residents being advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and medics reminding people to take measures to ensure they stay hydrated.

"[You have to] drink plenty of water, use a fan. There is not much you can do to escape it, really. It is absurdly hot," said Ana Flavia, a local resident in Sao Paulo.

"With this change in temperature and the excessive heat, we see a lot of cases of dehydration," said Tiago Foliate Pitirilo, a doctor from the city's Hospital Sao Camilo.

The sweltering heat may be around for a while more, according to experts, who say higher water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean mean Brazil is likely to face more frequent heatwaves this year.

"The ocean forecast indicates that in the second half of the year we will have a warmer Pacific Ocean. This allows us to infer that the number of heat waves in 2026 may be higher than last year, when the Pacific Ocean was cooler," said Marecelo Seluchi, a meteorologist from Brazil's National Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters (CEMADEN).

Brazil in midst of heatwave with more extreme temperatures expected