Chinese domestic tourism back in full swing

Chinese tourism is back in action and ready to welcome tourists from all over the world. About 70% of China’s tourist attractions reopened on Thursday itself, according to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More sites including the Forbidden City in Beijing, reopened on Friday, news agency Reuters has reported.

Staff at the entrance to the Gubei Water Town checked visitors’ temperatures and health tracking codes. And inside, they directed tourists to stand one metre apart and stores used ropes to keep large crowds from forming. Everyone wore masks.

Room bookings also picked up since Thursday after Beijing and nearby areas began easing coronavirus restrictions.

Tours to all of Shanghai’s top tourist attractions should be reserved to avoid large gatherings, authorities have said. “Safety comes first,” said Yu Xiufen, head of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.

The city, with 84 major tourist attractions, has reopened 5,200 of its hotels reopened, according to booking data from Trip.com Group.