Türkiye is ready to welcome a surge in Chinese tourists during China's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday which starts Wednesday, with the influx offering a significant boost for the Turkish tourism sector.
The holiday period is often referred to as "Golden Week" in China and many travelers are looking to jet off to overseas destinations, with Türkiye -- seen as a bridge between the East and the West -- being one of the most popular choices.
The historic city of Istanbul, where the Bosphorus Strait connects Europe and Asia, is naturally viewed as one of the main hotspots which continues to draw Chinese visitors. It is home to iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque -- once the largest Eastern Roman Church and now a UNESCO World Heritage site -- with several other attractions also deemed as must-sees for many Chinese tourists.
"First of all, it's a historical center. We always say it [is] the capital of many ancient civilizations. It holds both history and natural beauty. Because Istanbul also brings together different human cultures within itself, it’s usually a city that really satisfies them," said Bora Dane, a tour guide specializing in the China market.
"What I’ve seen over the past 15 years is that they’re really impressed by the warm hospitality of Turkish people here and our friendly attitude toward them. They see us as if we’re one of them. In fact, they don’t expect that kind of reception before they come," said Dane.
Many have recognized the considerable opportunities afforded by China's tourism sector including Gülay Kalemkoy Firat, the owner of the Flex Tourism and Travel Agency. Fluent in Mandarin and a former tour guide herself, she said travel to Türkiye is already smooth for Chinese visitors, but there is still room for improvement.
"They get an electronic visa to come to Türkiye. The e-visa is issued either by themselves or through the agency from which they purchased the tour, all done digitally. I think it would be much better if the visa requirement were removed altogether," she said.
"For example, if they were to come to Türkiye and put on Tai Chi or Kung Fu shows through organized events, it would both promote Türkiye and create a cultural exchange. I believe cultural exchange is very important," she continued.
Türkiye readies for surge in Chinese tourists during 'Golden Week' holiday
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
