China Goes On a Charm-Offensive to Attract Hungarian Travelers

Nanjing Wall Photo: Hungary Today

On top of the world’s longest preserved city walls in Nanjing.

With over twenty weekly direct flight from Budapest to various cities in China, the Asian giant is keen on capitalizing on the newly established connections with Europe. The local governments of Anhui and Jiangsu provinces in particular have invited the Hungary Today team for a tour of their tourism attractions. Have they succeeded in impressing us? Here is what we have found.

Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.

Part of the Hungarian government’s so called “Eastern Opening” policy was opening up Hungary for foreign visitors from the Far-East. Direct flights and visa-free travel for Hungarian nationals have made visits to the famed Orient within reach, yet apart from the business community, still relatively few venture out to see the wonders of China. If they do so, they usually go to the two big cities, Shanghai and the capital Beijing. However, the neighboring provinces also wish to capitalize on the lucrative influx of foreign tourists.

Nothing is on a small scale in China, hotels are no exception. Modern hotel in Hefei. Photo: Hungary Today

No wonder they do so. Their hotel industry is transforming rapidly to cater for Western tastes, and China being China, they are able to expand their accommodation capacity in a blink of an eye. Famous Chinese delicacies, natural wonders and historical sites are all geared to attract foreign attention, and of course, foreign money.

High speed train in China. Photo: Hungary Today

The two provinces West of Shanghai, Anhui and Jiangsu, are particularly well positioned to grab a slice of the traffic now arriving in the Eastern metropolis. Connected by a high-speed rail that reaches a top speed of 320 km/h and costs peanuts in comparison with European train ticket prices, moving around sites in these provinces is fairly easy.

Anhui Provincial Museum in Hefei. Photo: Hungary Today

In recent, years brand new museums have been built to house the country’s 6000 years heritage. They are clearly modelled on their Western counterparts, with English signs or interactive exhibits to entertain young visitors.

Anhui Provincial Museum in Hefei. Photo: Hungary Today

For those who want to escape the ubiquitous European club scene for something more traditional, there are a number of smaller scale local operas and concert halls. Ancient Chinese music and dance is quite particular, but the atmosphere and community spirit with local people sipping green tea in the audience is an enjoyable experience.

Huangmei Opera, Hefei. Photo: Hungary Today

Hefei, the 10 million provincial capital of Anhui Province, mixes ultra-high tech with historic sites. For the uninitiated it is hard to determine how much of the ‘historic’ is original, and how much of it is a modern reproduction, but the sites are charming and full of life for sure.

Hefei, Sanhe Ancient Town. Photo: Hungary Today

Getting further out of big cities can be a challenge as finding local bus or train connections is hindered by the language-barrier. However, if you do your research, you can get to scenic places such as the Huangshan mountains. The cable car will take you up to the top, and if you are not deterred by the massive crowds of local people, the sights are truly stunning. The mountain peak alone is visited by some 5 million people annually, which, for comparison, is a quarter of annual visitors to Hungary as a whole.

Huangshan Scenic Area. Photo: Hungary Today

The cable car taking you to the Huangshan Mountains. Photo: Hungary Today

Huangshan Scenic Area. Photo: Hungary Today

It is a pity that Chinese travel organizers still do not realize just how charming the unspoilt, and less developed local districts are for us Westerners. Yet it is enough to take a turn from the skyscrapers and walk a mile or so to see genuine China with cheerful and curiously looking local people. In the country Westerners are still considered a bit of a rarity, people will walk up to you and ask you where you are from and pose with you for a photo with their children. We were always surprised just how positive their reaction was when we told them that we are from “Xiongyali”, Hungary.

Hongshun. Photo: Hungary Today

Nanjing. Photo: Hungary Today

The food is truly “next-level” in the country, but this will surprise no one. Authentic delicacies are all around you at a very affordable price, hygiene and quality is high in most places. If you want a quick snack, local food stalls are omnipresent, but if you want to go high-end, you will need to remain in the city centers. In case you are on a strict diet though, avoid China at all cost.

Fried fish in a high-end Suzhou, Jiangsu province, restaurant. Photo: Hungary Today

Chinese Food served on their famous turning table. Photo: Hungary Today

In case you try to indulge in good coffee, you will have a problem finding a cafe that can help you with your doze of daily espresso. Explaining the staff what a cup of coffee should look like has proved impossible on a number of occasions. But green tea is omnipresent, they will serve you one with almost any meal.

Xie Yuda Tea Museum in Anhui. Photo: Hungary Today

The enormous Xie Yuda Tea Museum in Anhui. Photo: Hungary Today

Many of the larger towns are currently restoring their ancient streets. The old buildings are usually housing small shops or restaurants and are bursting with local visitors. The content of the shops varies from tourist junk to high-end art and antiques, everyone can have their pick. China, however, does not permit the export of antiques, so if anyone is offering you a “genuine” Ming-dynasty porcelain, you can be sure it is a fake. And even if it was not, you would be forced to say good-bye to it at customs at the airport.

Shantang Street Historical District, Suzhou. Photo: Hungary Today

Zhuozheng Garden, Suzhou. Photo: Hungary Today

Suzhou Tiger Hill. Photo: Hungary Today

Suzhou Tiger Hill Pagoda. Photo: Hungary Today

One of the best of these preserved old towns is perhaps more familiar to Western audiences than many realize. Hongcun village in Anhui has featured in the 2000 blockbuster movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.

Hongcun Village. Photo: Hungary Today

Nightlife in the big cities is amazing with a very welcoming atmosphere. One has to get used to the heavy police and security guard present near these places, such as the street frequented by Japanese patrons in the 13 million Shanghai “suburb” city of Suzhou. But if you know your limits in terms of alcohol consumption, then no one will pay any attention to you at all. Chinese cities are generally very safe, we have never encountered any unpleasant situations, but criminality does exist, so circumspection is advised.

Suzhou. Photo: Hungary Today

Nanjing. Photo: Hungary Today.

If you are into fashion and want to impress your friends at home with an exotic wedding dress or a silk masterpiece, Suzhou Tiger Hill Wedding City is your place to visit. But Western brands are also everywhere in city centers, and usually for a better price than at home.

Suzhou Tiger Hill Wedding City. Photo: Hungary Today.

The Chinese are very proud of their history and can be sensitive to Western preconceptions. We have visited the memorial museum for the victims or the World War II Japanese occupation (1937) in the city of Nanjing. We were pleasantly surprised how reconciliatory the tone of the exhibition was, and how much space the role of foreign people, such as doctors and missionaries got within the narrative, of those who have aided the victims and refugees of the war. China is currently on a journey to rediscover and reevaluate its own past, and in general, Western preconceptions and mainstream media opinions about their recent history will not be something they will be receptive to, so best not to engage in such topics.

Nanjing Memorial. Photo: Hungary Today

In conclusion, it is well worth expanding your horizons beyond Beijing or Shanghai and to see the provinces nearby, such as Anhui or Jiangsu. We would not recommend going in July or August if you are sensitive to hot weather, as the feel factor can easily jump above 40 degrees for weeks on end, while the humidity is staggering. Careful with the traffic as well, we would not recommend driving in the country unless you actually live there. Even as a pedestrian you should not take a green light or a zebra crossing for granted, and the little electric scooters are an absolute menace, you will be at their mercy.

Shantang Street Historical District, Suzhou. Photo: Hungary Today

But China is utterly charming and overwhelming at the same time. We have even managed to visit a small church in Anhui province, where the members of the congregation have welcomed us with open arms, although we could not understand what they were saying. The language barrier is an issue, of course, few locals speak English, but with a phone application we have managed to overcome this problem. All in all, it is no wonder that the flights between Chinese cities and Budapest are absolutely packed. Even though there are relatively few Hungarian tourists among the passengers, hopes are that tourism will pick up both ways among our countries as China is truly a marvel, well worth visiting.

Editor:Zheng Chen