Beijing, the World Heritage Capital

The "Hello Beijing" cultural and tourism promotion event organized on March 7 by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism was a great success in Budapest, according to a statement about the event, which attracted nearly 100 participants, including many tourism professionals, journalists and travel bloggers.

The event provided a detailed presentation of Beijing's rich cultural and tourism potential, highlighting the eight World Heritage Sites. To the particular interest of the participants, the Budapest-Beijing direct flights were also presented by representatives of Air China, China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. 

The "Hello Beijing" event also showcased new opportunities and facilitations for inbound tourists. Among others, visitors' customs clearance will be made more convenient with a simplified one-stop shop for clearance and border control. Beijing Services airport service points, to be launched in 2024, will help foreign visitors with payment, transport and communication. A new innovation will simplify banking and SIM card access. It also offers transit passengers a free half-day city tour with guided experiences, transport and internet access. 

Beijing has a history stretching back over 3,000 years. The city, known as one of the world's greatest historical and cultural treasures, received a special recognition in 2024: its central boulevard in the city center became the eighth site in the city to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This road crisscrosses Beijing for 7.8 kms, representing the historical, cultural and architectural heart of the city and reflecting over 700 years of urban planning. The central axis road symbolizes China's traditional imperial layout and cosmic harmony. 

Commenting on the Budapest event, Chang Lin, Member of the Board of the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said that "Beijing, the city of hospitality and beauty, is the capital of China, an ancient city with a world-renowned rich cultural heritage, and an open, diverse and vibrant international metropolis. We promise that when you visit Beijing, you will return home satisfied and with wonderful memories. Beijing is waiting for you!"

The event in the Hungarian capital was not just about lectures: participants were also able to experience Beijing's cultural values in practice. The photo exhibition of Beijing's cultural attractions and the traditional Chinese handicrafts programs were a great success. Guests were able to participate in the making of the twelve zodiac tickets, admire the masterpieces of the silk doll workshop and taste the famous Beijing jasmine tea. But the biggest thrill was the raffle draw, where the grand prize was a three-night, four-day trip to Beijing.

According to the statement, cultural and tourism ties between China and Hungary are growing, as the Beijing event proved. Visa-free travel is a major facilitation for Hungarian tourists, which has led to more and more people choosing Beijing as their travel destination. 

In his speech, Chang Lin stressed that "these visa-free measures have significantly facilitated personal and cultural relations between our two countries - now all you need is a passport and a plane ticket for a spontaneous trip to China!"

The success of the "Hello Beijing!" event shows that the Hungarian public is showing a growing interest in Chinese culture, and we can expect more events like this in the future. Beijing's doors are open to Hungarian tourists, who are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience exploring this wonderful city, the statement concludes.