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China’s tourism sector has sparked vibrant activity on the inaugural day of the five-day Labor Day holiday, with diversified trends among travelers characterizing the nation’s travel landscape.

Rising popularity of lesser-known destinations

Firstly, lesser-known third and fourth-tier cities have seen a more notable increase in popularity compared to first or second-tier cities. Destinations such as Tianshui, Lishui, and Jinhua have witnessed a 40 percent year-on-year increase in travel bookings, according to leading Chinese travel service provider Ctrip. Meanwhile, county-level regions have experienced a 64 percent year-on-year surge in hotel reservations and a 200 percent spike in ticket bookings.

The ancient town of Guzicheng bustling with tourists in Jinhua city, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1, 2024. /CFP

The ancient town of Guzicheng bustling with tourists in Jinhua city, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1, 2024. /CFP

Exploring cultural and natural treasures

Both cultural pursuits and natural scenery are drawing interest from travelers, as museums, theme parks, and scenic vistas recorded significant upticks in order volumes, surging by 31, 10, and 50 percent year on year respectively on May 1. Additionally, there’s a discernible trend towards village tourism, with a notable 15 percent increase in travelers opting for rustic retreats, as indicated by China Mobile’s Wutong Big Data.

Henan Museum was packed with tourists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, May 1, 2024. / CFP

Henan Museum was packed with tourists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, May 1, 2024. / CFP

Global wanderlust

In terms of outbound travel, record-breaking bookings for international flight tickets were registered on the same day. Notably, destinations offering visa waivers for Chinese citizens have witnessed a notable 30 percent surge in bookings compared to the same period in 2019. During the holiday period, Chinese tourists are expected to visit some 1,000 cities across the globe.

A man gets a haircut from a street barber in Beijing on April 24. WANG JING/CHINA DAILY

Just before the start of this year, 33-year-old Luo Jing finally used up the balance on his over 5,000-yuan ($690) hair salon prepaid card and decided never to recharge the card again.

These prepaid cards often cost several thousand yuan, but the hairstylists’ skills are often just about average, nowhere near the tall claims they make while selling the cards.

There are enough reasons now to regulate the prepaid card market, as these cards are often sold after making tall claims with no corresponding increase in service quality, coupled with the constant risk of such establishments shutting down even before all the customers who were sold the cards have made use of what they paid for, or customers going elsewhere for the service with money left on the card.

Many young people such as Luo are now tired of salespersons trying to sell them prepaid cards for hair and beauty salons and/or gyms. They are abandoning such prepaid cards in favor of a more direct pay-per-service model.

Luo, who is from Jiangsu province, has been living in Beijing since graduating from university about 10 years ago.

He works for an internet company in Beijing and earns a decent monthly income.

In May 2022, he once went for a haircut to a branded salon near his apartment in Chaoyang district.

On entering the newly decorated salon, the staff members immediately stood up to welcome him.

They then began selling him the prepaid service packages they had, offering 30 percent off all services if he bought a 3,000-yuan card and 50 percent off for a 5,000-yuan card.

Luo ignored their offers, stating he just wanted the cheapest service they offered — a 68-yuan hair wash and haircut.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, let’s set out on a delightful croissant hunt across the vibrant streets of Beijing. Join us as we embark on a culinary odyssey to discover the diverse flavors, tastes and costs of croissants, and learn how these iconic treats preserve traditional French flavors and add a playful twist, all within the heart of China’s capital.

01:39

Our first stop on this savory adventure is Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery with roots in the cobblestone streets of Paris. Founded in 2010 on Caulaincourt Street in the Montmartre district, Gontran Cherrier quickly gained acclaim for its artisanal breads and pastries. Today, its Beijing outpost continues to uphold this tradition of excellence, transporting visitors to the heart of France with its charming decor and delectable offerings.

Among the array of tempting treats at Gontran Cherrier, the classic Almond Croissant stands out. Priced at 23 RMB, this buttery delight boasts layers of flaky pastry enveloping a rich almond filling, evoking the essence of traditional French baking.

Winner: Best Traditional Croissant

A selection of almond croissants at Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of almond croissants at Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

As we delve deeper into Beijing’s vibrant bakery scene, we discover Weiduomei, or Wedome Bakery, a local favorite celebrated for its selection of traditional Chinese pastries. With multiple branches dotted across Beijing, Weiduomei offers a variety of croissants, including multigrain and caramel-glazed options. Priced at just 3 RMB each, these croissants are the perfect choice for a quick and budget-friendly snack on the go. Their affordability and widespread availability have cemented them as a favorite among locals, whether for a morning bite or a tasty treat throughout the day.

Winner: Best Budget-Friendly Croissant

A selection of multigrain and caramel-glazed croissants at Weiduomei, a local Chinese bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of multigrain and caramel-glazed croissants at Weiduomei, a local Chinese bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Next up is Bingoo Bakery, a trendy bakery located near the iconic Bell and Drum Towers. Situated amidst the historical landmarks and bustling tourist attractions, Bingoo Bakery caters to both locals and travelers alike. Its proximity to these cultural landmarks makes it an ideal stop for tourists looking for a tasty snack or stylish pastry.

Here at Bingoo Bakery, the intersection of cultures is evident in every delectable bite. The Matcha Cocoa Croissant, infused with the vibrant flavors of green tea and cocoa, is a nod to both Chinese tea culture and French artisanal pastry. And a surprise encounter with a bow-shaped croissant filled with zesty lemon cream highlighted the bakery’s innovative approach to traditional pastry-making.

Winner: Best Trendy Croissant

A selection of traditional and trendy croissants at Bingoo Bakery in Beijing on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of traditional and trendy croissants at Bingoo Bakery in Beijing on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

As a bonus, a visit to Tous les Jours, a popular “French-Asian inspired” bakery, reveals a savory twist on the classic offering, the Sausage Croissant. This savory delight is a departure from the sweetness of traditional pastries, catering to diverse palates and preferences.

A selection of sausage croissants and other pastries at Tous les Jours, a popular French-Asian inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of sausage croissants and other pastries at Tous les Jours, a popular French-Asian inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Reflecting on the culinary odyssey through Beijing’s croissant culture, both locals and travelers alike are captivated by the rich tapestry of flavors and influences woven into each buttery creation. 

Whether savoring the timeless elegance of a French-inspired delicacies or embracing the innovative twists of local artisans, the croissant serves as a symbol of cultural exchange and culinary diplomacy.

03:25

This year marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. As both sides work to strengthen relations, a French-speaking Chinese man in Shanghai aims to promote mutual cultural understanding in his own special way. 

06:52

From street corners to the world stage, breaking – better known as breakdance – is now an Olympic sport. In the breakdancing arena, few names shine as brightly as Mounir Biba. CGTN Europe went to Paris and talked to the French breakdancing legend, who played a key role in breaking’s Olympic inclusion. 

04:00

Last year, a Chinese team visited France to train for the World Breaking Championship in Belgium. This was in preparation for the Asian Games in Hangzhou later in 2023. Stuart Smith interviewed the athletes who were aiming to compete and win. He began by inquiring about their goals while in France and the sources of their inspiration. 

00:59

Two giant pandas, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, arrived in Madrid, Spain on Monday, ready to start a 10-year stay in the European country.

A charter flight carrying the pandas from their home in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province in southwest China, landed on Monday at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas International Airport, the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said.

The zoo’s veterinary and conservation team, as well as several officials from Spain’s Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), waited at the airport and escorted the pandas to the zoo upon their arrival.

A special dinner made of freshly-cut bamboo shoots was waiting for the new members of the zoo. 

The bears will be quarantined for about a month and could meet the public in late May if everything goes well, the Madrid zoo said.

In order to create a more comfortable living environment for the giant pandas, the zoo has conducted safety inspections and upgraded all the facilities and equipment in the panda enclosure.

Chinese experts went to Madrid in advance to inspect the conditions of the pandas’ new home. They will stay for about three months, until the pandas fully adapt to their new environment.

“Both pandas were born in 2020, so they are nearly four years old. They are very healthy, well developed in body shape and all other aspects. That’s why we chose these two for Spain,” said Yang Kuixing, a Chinese giant panda breeding expert.

China and Spain signed an agreement in 2007 to promote international cooperation on giant panda protection and advance bilateral cooperation on the preservation of endangered species and biodiversity. During the cooperation period, six panda cubs were successfully bred and have grown up.

Giant pandas Bing Xing and Hua Zuiba, along with their offspring Chulina, Jiu Jiu and You You, returned to China from Spain this March. The giant pandas, as a symbol of friendship between the Chinese and Spanish people, were deeply loved by locals.

“We felt a little sad to say goodbye to the five giant pandas living in Madrid. We had been with them for a long time, so it was hard for us to say goodbye. But now we are very happy and looking forward to welcoming a new pair of giant pandas. We are about to start a new chapter,” said Maria Delclaux, who is in charge of the giant panda enclosure at the zoo. 

(Cover image via video screenshot)