HUANGSHAN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 1, 2026--
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, toured the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area in eastern China's Anhui Province during a visit to China to experience its world-class hiking trails and Eastern aesthetic culture.
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The visit has cast a renewed spotlight in German and European markets on this UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and Global Geopark. Emphasizing Mount Huangshan’s dramatic granite peaks, scenic trail network, and eco-tourism appeal, the itinerary closely echoed the cherished tradition of hiking and deep natural exploration across Germany and Europe.
The delegation first visited Hongcun, an ancient village celebrated for its ox-shaped layout and traditional Hui-style architecture with ancient water systems. The President and First Lady enjoyed local Keemun black tea, praising its flavor, and stopped by a rural cafe run by Austrian expat Armin, highlighting vibrant German-speaking community ties and tourism appeal in rural Anhui.
Proceeding through the scenic area, the delegation visited the Jade Screen (Yuping) spot and took photos at the iconic Guest-Greeting Pine. Perched on a cliff edge for over a millennium, this legendary tree extends a branch like a welcoming arm, serving as a timeless symbol of Chinese hospitality and Mount Huangshan’s world-renowned scenery.
At the Yupinglou Hotel overlooking the East Sea Canyon, President Steinmeier praised the local gastronomy, notably Shexian beef and pan-fried shrimp cakes infused with Huangshan Maofeng tea, and endorsed the signature Yingke Pine coffee. A nearby calligraphy display depicting tranquility complemented the serene atmosphere.
During the visit, President Steinmeier engaged with Chinese and German artists to explore the perception and representation of the relationship between humanity and nature in East Asian and Western art philosophy, exchanging views on "harmony between humanity and nature" and gaining a deeper understanding of Mount Huangshan as an enduring symbol of Eastern aesthetics.
"We are deeply honored to welcome President Steinmeier and to present Huangshan’s natural grandeur and cultural depth to German and European visitors," said a spokesperson for Huangshan Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (HSDT). "Travelers from Germany and across Europe hold an unmatched appreciation for nature, environmental sustainability, and authentic heritage."
To serve this key European market, Huangshan Tourism is actively planning to launch a dedicated "Presidential Wandern Route" package. Expanding on its presence at ITB Berlin and strategic ties with partners like TUI, Huangshan is rolling out visitor guides in German and other languages, with detailed technical route information, elevation gains, and estimated hiking times, while inviting travel media and photographers from Germany and Europe to explore the region.
To facilitate travel, Huangshan Tourism also plans to partner with major airlines operating direct China-Europe routes while leveraging Huangshan City's convenient high-speed rail network to introduce diverse inbound tour products to the German public. Mount Huangshan sincerely invites outdoor enthusiasts across Germany and Europe to embark on this "presidential-style hiking package" and experience harmony between humanity and nature in the Huangshan area.
From top left to bottom right: the Welcoming Pine, the viewing platform of Yupinglou Hotel, Mount Huangshan amidst a sea of clouds, and Mount Huangshan in winter.
PARIS (AP) — French authorities expressed relief Sunday after mass protests over rising living costs resulted in less violence than previous weekends. But police expect new demonstrations as high schools at the heart of the movement reopen Monday after their autumn break.
Germany faced its own challenges after nationwide protests Saturday ended with rioters attacking police and looting stores in some cities. Around Europe, hundreds of thousands joined overwhelmingly peaceful marches Saturday inspired by young people, despite scattered unrest.
In Paris, rioters targeted police with Molotov cocktails at the end of Saturday’s march on the city’s eastern edge, injuring three officers and setting a car ablaze, police said. Across town, masked groups hurled fireworks at officers at a viewpoint across from the Eiffel Tower, and police charged repeatedly, sending panicked tourists fleeing the area.
Overall, however, the violence was less severe than on Oct. 17, when a city hall was torched and more than 2,000 stores were looted in hours of violence that authorities seemed unprepared to control, or during follow-up protests Oct. 24.
Police had arrested 779 people as of Saturday night, compared with 2,628 on Oct. 17 and 1,314 last weekend. Paris and Marseille police said a handful of shops were targeted but no major damage was reported.
A national police official said Sunday authorities had prepared for a larger turnout of both of peaceful marchers and troublemakers. About 70,000 police were deployed around the country.
Police are preparing for more tensions as schools reopen Monday and as student groups and labor unions call for new nationwide protests on Tuesday and Thursday, the official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to be publicly named according to police policy.
More than 100,000 mostly young people protested peacefully across Germany on Saturday, demanding that the government invest more money in education, housing, climate protection and make daily life more affordable. In some cities the protests turned violent at night.
Following a demonstration in Frankfurt, rioters attacked police downtown and looted stores. Several protesters and officers were injured and 30 people were detained. After police cordoned off an area in the city center, the situation calmed down by early Sunday morning.
“I am shocked by the violent excesses in Frankfurt, which will not go unpunished,” said Boris Rhein, the governor of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located. “Anyone who behaves like the attackers in downtown Frankfurt places themselves outside our society.''
Violence also broke out Saturday night in Cologne, where police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. In Berlin, protesters attacked police with bottles and pyrotechnics.
The organizers of Saturday’s protests, a youth initiative called “Gen Z regelt” — roughly “Gen Z’s got this" — posted a statement on Instagram distancing itself from “any form of violence, as well as violent acts by other groups or individuals” who were not part of the demonstrations.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused “violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from the immigrant community'' of hijacking peaceful demonstrations. “The rioters and looters will be identified and held accountable,'' Dobrindt told daily paper Bild on Sunday.
In Portugal, riot police overnight removed protesters by force from a square in Lisbon following protests for more affordable housing. Thousands of people marched through the city during the day and at the end a few hundred camped out in Rossio, an iconic square in downtown Lisbon. Police intervened early Sunday, removing tents and pushing people away, and a few were detained.
Portuguese demonstrators have been protesting for weeks following inspiration from the Spanish movement to call out rising living costs, especially housing costs.
Associated Press writers Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin and Helena Alves in Lisbon contributed to this report.
Protesters march during a demonstration against rising living costs in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Protestors carry a banner with the words "We don't have houses, the tents stay" during a demonstration to demand affordable housing, in downtown Lisbon, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Demonstrators attend a protest under the slogan "Gen Z Takes Care of It" in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The smashed window of a jewellery is seen in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, the day after a group of people went on rampage after a protest march under the slogan "Gen Z Takes Care of It" . (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A car is on fire during protests over living costs and education in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
