The coastal city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, renowned for its stunning scenery and delectable seafood and beer, has experienced a notable increase in international tourists this year.
Thanks to easier entry and enhanced promotion of its cultural and tourism resources, the city has experienced significant growth in inbound tourism.
In the first seven months of this year, about 281,900 foreign travelers arrived through the Qingdao Airport, marking a year-on-year increase of 47.82 percent.
In the Tsingtao Beer Museum, South Korean tourist Jin Seok-cheol, visiting China for the first time with his friends, expressed excitement about their week-long itinerary. They plan to explore the Qingdao International Sailing Center, take a cruise, wander through unique streets, and enjoy Tsingtao beer, a beloved local brand.
"Taking a taxi is very convenient, and there are many things to see. The beer is also great. I’ve been wandering around Qingdao all day while drinking beer. It's really fun," said Jin.
Thanks to Qingdao's geographical proximity to South Korea and Japan, along with its status as a major air gateway for both countries, the number of travelers from the two neighboring countries entering China through Qingdao has surged this year.
So far, the city has received 201,900 visitors from South Korea and 22,000 from Japan, together accounting for 79.43 percent of all foreign visitors. Additionally, there has been an increase in tourists from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, totaling 19,200.
"I visited Qingdao last year and I also visited the museum so I really liked it. That's why I'm here second time," said a Kazakhstani tourist.
Foreign visitors flock to Qingdao as relaxed entry policies fuel tourism growth
Foreign visitors flock to Qingdao as relaxed entry policies fuel tourism growth
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
