'China Cool' trends globally with unique cooling getaways

This summer, as a relentless heatwave sweeps across the globe, the unique cool escapes are turning "China Cool" into the latest buzzword on overseas social media, hot on the heels of "China Travel."

August 13, 2026

The boom in China-Europe travel runs in both directions

Under China's unilateral visa-free policy, travelers from countries including France, Germany and Italy can stay for up to 30 days. Over 30 European countries have visa-free access to China. Thanks to the policy, China saw 17.8 million visa-free entries by foreign nationals -- Europeans and others -- in the first half of 2026, up 30.6 percent year on year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

August 12, 2026

Paws and perspectives: Why do animals need their own bridges?

A highway may connect two cities, but for wildlife, it can become a barrier across an age-old migration route. In the second episode of our mini-podcast series, we look at how roads, railways, dams, and wind farms can reduce their impact on wildlife through better planning, early assessment, and carefully designed crossings.

August 12, 2026

Rocket launch boosts space tourism in east China

Known for its beaches and seafood, Haiyang in Shandong Province is building a new identity as a space tourism destination. Rocket launches are drawing visitors from across China, while space-themed museums and interactive exhibits are bringing aerospace science closer to the public. Watch how this coastal city is reaching for the stars.

August 11, 2026

Paws and perspectives: How close is too close when photographing birds?

How close can you get to a bird for the perfect photo? China's Ecological and Environmental Code does not set one universal distance for every setting. Instead, the key principle is to keep a safe distance to avoid disrupting birds from normal feeding and breeding. The Code will take effect on Aug. 15.

August 11, 2026

100 days on, African exporters reap early benefits of China's zero-tariff policy

One hundred days after China implemented a landmark zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, bilateral trade has surged to historic heights. Experts and industry leaders are examining how this market access is driving industrialization in a new era of mutually beneficial economic cooperation between China and Africa.

August 11, 2026

Chinese aesthetics find new global appeal

From fashion and food to flower arranging and indigo dyeing, Chinese aesthetics are finding fresh expression -- and new admirers around the world.

August 10, 2026

Seeing China firsthand: Global visitors embrace the real China

More global travelers are choosing to visit China this summer, and many say the country they're experiencing is far different from what they had expected. Here's how firsthand visits are bringing the real China into focus. (courtesy of the School of Journalism and Communication, Sun Yat-sen University.)

August 7, 2026

Dazzling fish lantern parade brings ancient villages in East China to life

Parade processions of the giant fish-shaped lantern meander through the streets in the ancient villages of east China's Huangshan, creating a stunning spectacle at night. Many visitors came here to experience the parades, benefiting local tourism and related industries.

August 6, 2026

Weaving the golden legacy of Nanjing: A Yunjin inheritor's story

In the exhibition hall of Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Museum, a giant wooden loom, which is 5.6 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, and 4 meters high, is extremely eye-catching. It needs the cooperation of two skilled craftsmen to operate the loom, with one sitting high on the top to lift the threads, while the other sitting below to weave the patterns. With rich and dazzling sheen, the fabric is as beautiful as rosy clouds. Mainly produced in Nanjing, it is called Nanjing Yunjin, which is one of the four famous brocades in China, along with Songjin, Shujin, and Zhuangjin.

August 4, 2026

Redefining distance -- 20 years on the 'roof of the world'

Twenty years ago, traveling to Xizang meant an arduous journey.

August 4, 2026

AI, broadband and drones: How Chinese digital technologies are reshaping daily life in Africa

Artificial intelligence is increasingly part of daily life across Africa, thanks to growing China-Africa digital cooperation.

July 31, 2026

Born of Porcelain: A Story from Jingdezhen

What makes Jingdezhen China's "porcelain capital"? What gives its newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site its enduring appeal? A city-level inheritor of Jingdezhen's traditional blue-and-white porcelain painting shares a deeply personal journey through her hometown and the living heritage that continues to shape it today.

July 30, 2026

Traditional Chinese culture fuels immersive summer travel fervor

This summer, traditional Chinese culture has been gaining new appeal as global tourists embrace more fresh offerings rooted in China's rich heritage, especially those that enable them to enjoy immersive experiences.

July 28, 2026

Jingdezhen: C·H·I·N·A Reimagined

Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And here's an interesting way of understanding China.

July 27, 2026

Pocket parks drive urban renewal, eco-improvement efforts in China

Small parks, big impact. Pocket parks - compact green spaces of 400 to 10,000 square meters - are springing up across China. Statistics show that China had built more than 18,000 pocket parks nationwide between 2021 and 2025, greatly enhancing urban living conditions.

July 24, 2026

Eyes on Hainan: American teenagers experience local Chinese culture

From local delicacies to centuries-old opera, Hainan welcomed young visitors from Hawaii with a cultural feast. As part of the 2026 China-U.S. Youth Exchange Program, 12 teachers and students embarked on an immersive journey to explore Hainan's rich traditions.

July 24, 2026

Young heritage experts gather in Dunhuang to protect the Silk Road's future

A 40-day Silk Road heritage conservation training program is underway in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. The program brings together 25 young professionals from China and Central Asian countries to learn advanced conservation techniques through lectures, lab work and field training, strengthening cooperation in protecting shared cultural heritage.

July 24, 2026

Beyond Made in China: Foreign visitors discover appeal of Chinese services

For years, China has attracted overseas consumers via the products it manufactures. However, a quiet shift is now taking place, with an increasing number of foreign visitors coming to China not only to buy goods, but also to experience the country's professional, efficient and personalized services.

July 22, 2026

Chinese and American Students Strike a New Chord of Friendship in Shanghai

Chinese and American students shared the stage in Shanghai, exchanging performance skills and building friendships through the Zhiyin Initiative summer camp.

July 20, 2026

China's ancient architecture, cultural heritage wow intl guests in Shanxi

China's ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage have captivated international guests during the 2026 International Cultural Heritage Protection Week in north China's Shanxi.

July 20, 2026

How fast customs clearance boosts China-Kazakhstan trade in Almaty

A logistics hub for China-Kazakhstan trade, the Kazakhstan Xi'an Terminal, began operations in February 2024. Let's find out how customs clearance can be processed speedily at the terminal in Almaty.

July 17, 2026

Beyond the horizon: How China's low-altitude economy is reshaping the future

China's evolving AI application is reshaping the country's low-altitude economy. Drones are getting smarter with AI integration, a trend expected to feature at the upcoming 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which is set to take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20.

July 16, 2026

Beyond the pitch, Chinese businesses score with World Cup opportunities

As the 2026 World Cup heats up, a growing number of FIFA-licensed manufacturers in China's Zhejiang Province are supplying the world with creative, tournament-themed merchandise.

July 15, 2026

Chinese appliances bring cool comfort to Southeast Asian homes

Across Southeast Asia, Chinese home brands are winning consumers over -- with smarter tech, real energy savings, 24/7 customer support, competitive prices and solutions built for tropical climates -- bringing cool comfort to local families amid heatwaves.

July 14, 2026

South China Sea: What history reveals

In this episode of China Chat, host Miao Xiaojuan speaks with curator Xin Lixue at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, where shipwrecks, punch bowls, and handwritten route books all have a story to tell!

July 13, 2026

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai opens in NW China

The 25th "Tour of Magnificent Qinghai" International Road Cycling Race opened on Friday in Xining City, northwest China's Qinghai Province. The eight-day race drew 154 riders representing 22 teams from 12 countries and regions.

July 13, 2026

Heatwaves highlight complementary China-Europe economic, trade ties

As heatwaves sweep across many parts of Europe, Chinese products have emerged as an important option for households trying to stay cool. The growing demand highlights the practical value of complementary China-Europe economic and trade ties.

July 8, 2026

From film to friendship: A trans-Pacific bond forged by horses

Clayson Benally, a horse trainer and artist from Arizona, the United States, traveled thousands of miles with his family to meet Julaa, a 12-year-old ethnic Mongolian girl who starred in the documentary "Horse Power." For Benally, the journey brought a powerful sense of resonance as he realized that their shared love for horses speaks a universal language that transcends cultural differences.

July 7, 2026

50 years of Yunnan-Xizang Highway: Remote mountain passage turns into world-class tourism corridor

Over the past 50 years since its opening, the Yunnan-Xizang Highway has evolved from a remote mountain passage into a world-class tourism corridor. Meet two proprietors whose homestay and coffee businesses have flourished along the scenic route -- proof that better roads pave the way for brighter futures.

July 7, 2026