Qinhuangdao, a coastal city in north China's Hebei Province, has emerged as a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts during the ongoing eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival break.
More and more anglers are flocking to the city thanks to its tailored infrastructure and services.
Since its launch in 2024 and rise to popularity this summer, an offshore fishing facility located six kilometers from the coast has provided ample space for anglers to cast their lines and improved their chances of making a catch.
During the holiday, it attracted crowds of fishing lovers -- both local and visitors, from rookies to professionals.
Many stressed that they came not only to fish but also for excitement and unique experiences with family and friends.
"Just come here with family and friends for some fun. It's my first time fishing on a platform like this, and I haven't done much fishing before. Anyway, it's all about having a good time. I managed to catch some fishes, it's great and I'm very happy," said Wu Xuezhou, a local resident.
For people less interested in fishing, Qinhuangdao offers plenty of alternatives. There are cultural communities and resorts built alongside the coastline.
Also, local chefs can turn seafood fresh out of the water into delicious dumplings and dishes.
"Since Beijing is very close to Qinhuangdao, we basically make a trip here around this time every year. We've been to this dumpling restaurant many times, and their dumplings are always delicious," said Zhu Yi, a tourist from Beijing.
As a traditional tourist city, Qinhuangdao is seeking new breakthroughs by integrating tourism, dining, and cultural activities. It captures the interests of diverse travelers, ensuring that every visitor finds their own way to enjoy the coastal charm.
This year, the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday runs through Wednesday.
Qinhuangdao emerges as angler-friendly travel destination during National Day 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
