The stereotypical image of Chinese tourists abroad is of large tour groups following a guide with a red flag through sightseeing spots and shopping malls.

But all that could be about to change, as the country’s leading travel agencies attempt to replace traditional tour packages with high-end experiences.

Just yesterday, China Travel Service (CTS), a big player in the travel industry, announced it will cooperate with vacation resorts in South Korea to provide packages that appeal to well-off families, eco-golfers and winter sports enthusiasts.

“Getting in and out of a tour bus at tourist spots and being in a rush is no longer working with outbound tourists,” said Zhang Ping, president of CTS. “We have to move upstream in quality and create tourism products tailored to the demands of individuals and that give people more freedom for unique experiences.”

The company says its cooperation with South Korea’s GB Networks, an agency that provides travel services to 14 resorts, will give Chinese tourists access to large-scale ski resorts, golf courses, water parks, hotels and convention centers.

Jin Chengxiu, director of the CTS’ branch in Seoul, said it was the first time a Chinese travel agency has attempted to tap into the South Korean resort market, which currently attracts a large number of Korean and international tourists, but few Chinese.

“Most resorts are in northern Gangwon Province, which has a smooth, sandy coastline and is known as the epicenter of winter sports in Korea,” he said. “Chinese tourists, especially those traveling with their families or for business conventions, can spend several days and nights in one place relaxing.”

The province is also the site of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, and authorities expect to draw 10,000 tourists from China each year in the lead-up to the event.

According to Zhang, Chinese tour agencies are making bold attempts to offer a variety of high-end tourism packages to cater for a booming market demand.

“Some remote but captivating destinations that were believed to be too expensive for Chinese tourists are becoming more popular,” said Zhang, adding that the agency has organized trips to Seychelles in the Indian Ocean with chartered flights this year. “Because the number of Chinese outbound tourists is increasing, the prices of hotels and airline tickets are getting lower, which can cut the price for outbound travel.

“Amid the economic downturn, people are more likely to spend money on tourism to relieve stress. The industry is now also promoted by the Chinese government as a way to stimulate consumption.”

According to the National Tourism Administration, 38 million Chinese tourists traveled overseas in the first half of this year, up 18 per cent from the same period last year.

After Japan, China is South Korea’s second largest source of inbound tourists. A new visa policy will come into effect next month, loosening restrictions on Chinese tourists in a bid to promote tourism.

Lushan consists of 99 individual peaks, with the tallest rising to nearly 1,500 meters.

Revolutionary hub boasts historic pedigree, natural beauty

Despite its reputation as a cradle of Chinese revolution, Nanchang, the capital of East China’s Jiangxi province, did not benefit much from its illustrious past. The Nanchang Uprising on Aug 1, 1927, which marked the birth of the People’s Liberation Army, sealed the city as a heavyweight of wartime China.

But in modern China, Nanchang, compared to the more prosperous coastal cities, has been left behind during the country’s swift economic growth. This was until late June, when the central government issued a document offering preferential policies to boost the development of old revolutionary bases in Jiangxi.

The long-awaited incentives target cities in south Jiangxi, but as the capital of the province, Nanchang with a population of 5.04 million, is destined to become the regional economic powerhouse and shoulder more responsibility for the further development of the area.

Business aside, Nanchang is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites. The Ganjiang River passes through the city from south to north and the whole city is dotted with rivers and lakes. Its outskirts are surrounded by green mountains, and the stunning views of the city have inspired many talented poets since ancient times.

Visitors will still be able to get their fair share of beautiful scenery, history and culture on short or weekend trips to the city. Here are a few attractions to start with:

1. Tengwang Pavilion

Located on the shore of the Ganjiang River, Tengwang Pavilion is one of the three most notable pavilions in the southern, lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The others are Wuhan’s Yellow Crane Tower in Hubei province and Yueyang Pavilion in Hunan province.

Tengwang Pavilion rose to fame mainly due to a classic piece by Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) poet Wang Bo, who finished Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng after encountering a grand banquet held there. Standing 57.5 meters tall at nine stories, the pavilion is named after Li Yuanying, the younger brother of Tang Dynasty Emperor Taizong, 1,300 years ago.

The original Tang Dynasty pavilion was rebuilt 20 years after its completion and has been rebuilt 29 times over the course of its history. A theater within the modern pavilion, which was rebuilt between 1985 and 1989, stages musical performances. There is also a museum at a side entrance, where it is possible to see how the tower looked like during other eras.

2. Star of Nanchang (Ferris wheel)

Just like the London Eye, which stands 135 meters high on the south bank of the Thames, Nanchang also has its own giant wheel that offers breathtaking views on a single ride.

The Star of Nanchang, standing 160 meters tall, became one of the world’s highest Ferris wheels after being put into operation in 2006. Located at the west side of the Ganjiang River, the Star of Nanchang has become an icon of the city. The wheel cost about 57 million yuan ($8.94 million, 7.28 million euros) to build. It has 60 enclosed air-conditioned gondolas, each carrying up to eight passengers, with a maximum capacity of 480 passengers. A single rotation takes about 30 minutes.

3. Jiangxi Provincial Museum

This museum, located 100 meters away from the Tengwang Pavilion, is a good place to understand the past of Jiangxi province. The museum is split into three buildings with three different themes: Jiangxi ancient civilization, Jiangxi revolutionary relics and the province’s ancient ceramics.

The 13,000-square-meter museum boasts a collection of 34,000 items, ranging from ceramics to gold vessels, silverware, bronze, jade and ancient painting and calligraphy. The displays of the vast legacies of Chinese pottery stand out because of their relation to key kilns such as Porcelain Capital, Jingdezhen. There is also a good summary of the advanced technologies used.

4. Lushan National Park

Lushan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park, located in nearby Jiujiang city, offers stunning views ranging from spectacular peaks, lakes, cliffs and waterfalls to important Buddhist and Taoist temples.

Lushan is known as one of the finest summer resorts in China and was used as the location for a famous Chinese film, Romance on Lushan Mountain. The mountain consists of 99 peaks, with the tallest rising to nearly 1,500 meters. The high-speed rail from Nanchang to Lushan cuts the traveling time to 45 minutes.

Eating and drinking

Nanchang is famous for its spicy dishes. Nanchang rice noodles, dressed with ginger, garlic, capsicum and pepper, is a must-try among various local street dishes in the city. Traditional snacks such as roubingtang or steamed pork with eggs, and waguantang, a special soup cooked in pottery jars, are also available throughout the city.

Rather than beers and wines, the drinking culture in Nanchang is more about enjoying a cup of fine Chinese tea. The history of tea drinking and teahouses in Nanchang can be traced back more than 1,000 years. There are about 20 modern teahouses in the city center. Gujin Chashi, located in No 129 Fuhe North Road, is suitable for first-time tea drinkers. Staff members have many years of experience serving Chinese tea.

China Daily