China Travel News: August 2024

UNESCO added Beijing’s Central Axis to its World Heritage List, marking a new era for this historic site. The Central Axis, which runs north to south through the heart of Beijing, features significant landmarks such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, and the Forbidden City. This inclusion highlights the global importance of traditional Chinese urban planning and celebrates the profound richness of Chinese cultural heritage.

Looking ahead, efforts will be directed towards preserving the Central Axis while balancing cultural heritage with modern development. Key focus areas will include enhancing tourism management and ensuring that the area’s historical value is maintained as Beijing continues to grow.

The Mandarin Oriental Qianmen in Beijing will open its doors on September 2nd. Located along the Beijing Central Axis in the traditional Qianmen East Hutong Quarter, this new property presents guests with beautifully landscaped courtyard houses and four exquisite dining venues, each reflecting the finest elements of Chinese culture.?

Our Head of Leisure, Jenny Zhao, will be attending the exclusive opening event. We’re confident that this exceptional hotel will be a top choice for WildChina travelers seeking a truly immersive and luxurious Beijing experience.

Alipay now supports 16 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, as well as Chinese and English.

This update is part of a broader effort to improve payment services for foreigners in China. The app has seen a huge increase in usage by foreign travelers this year, highlighting its growing role in making travel in China more convenient.

Air China has introduced a new direct flight from Milan Malpensa to Chengdu Tianfu, which commenced on July 29. This new service is the fourth direct route Air China operates between Italy and China, joining its existing flights to Shanghai, Beijing, and Wenzhou.

Additionally, starting September 26, China Eastern Airlines will launch two new nonstop routes: Shanghai to Venice and Xi’an to Milan. These new services, combined with a 15-day visa-free policy for Italian travelers, will make it easier than ever to explore China.

Tourists hiking the Great Wall of China can now enjoy food delivered straight to them by drone. Meituan, a major Chinese food delivery company, has launched a new service that brings meals, drinks, and medical supplies to customers at a remote section of the historic site on the outskirts of Beijing.

This marks the first drone delivery service in the capital and adds to China’s expanding drone delivery industry. As the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of civilian drones, China is leading the way in using this technology to offer convenience in both urban and hard-to-reach rural areas.

China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy now includes Shaanxi Province, joining 36 other locations. Travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK, can visit Shaanxi for up to six days without a visa. Shaanxi boasts notable attractions, including the Terracotta Army, the ancient Xi’an City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Hot Springs, Mount Hua, and many others.

Travelers must have valid international travel documents and onward tickets to a third country or region. The policy facilitates tourism, business meetings, family visits, and cultural exchanges in the province.

China’s aviation landscape is on the brink of a major shift as Air China and China Southern Airlines are set to receive their first COMAC C919 aircraft by the end of August 2024. This milestone follows the successful completion of flight tests earlier this month.

Both airlines have each ordered 100 of these new aircraft, part of China’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made planes and strengthen its domestic aviation sector. Although the C919 is currently certified only for operations within China, its rollout by these major airlines is a key step towards establishing it as a competitive option on the global stage.