“The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is so stunning. It not only houses many Buddhist classics but also features architecture that reflects the historical culture of China's Tang Dynasty, merging the ancient and the modern. This is hard to find in other countries.” In mid-August, as Xi'an's temperatures soared up to 36 degrees, under the scorching sun at 11 a.m., Russian tourist Igor Chulin and his group toured the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, which boasts a history of over 1,400 years. Although they were drenched in sweat after the tour, Igor Chulin and his wife, Irina Chulina, were very satisfied.
“China has a long history and is now one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. Visiting China has been my dream, and it’s so exciting to finally achieve it.” This summer, after careful preparation, Igor Chulin and his wife, Irina Chulina, embarked on their long-awaited trip to China. From the moment the plane landed, this journey of dreams turned into a wondrous trip that constantly amazed the Chulin couple. The couple paid close attention to the young people of China, “They are vibrant and have a profound love for life and their country!” ◆ Report by Hong Kong Wen Wei Po correspondent Li Yangbo in Xi'an
Brilliant Lights Interweaving the Past and Future
The travel group led by Igor Chulin entered China from Shanghai, which left an impression on Igor Chulin that was both “as expected” and somewhat “unexpected.” “Before coming to China, I thought there would be lots of people, cars, and high-rises. When I arrived, I indeed found many people, many cars, and skyscrapers everywhere.” What unexpectedly enchanted Igor Chulin, besides the abundance of vehicles and high-rises, was the city’s “magic” that made people “fall in love at first sight.”
During his stay in Shanghai, Igor Chulin was constantly enveloped in this “magic.” “International, modern, trendy, diverse—regardless of where you come from, Shanghai seems to offer a culture that matches yours, as well as whatever you might need.” Igor Chulin said that Shanghai’s night view is the most beautiful city night view globally. Amid the brilliant lights, he saw both the oldest buildings representing Shanghai’s past and the newest ones representing its future. That feeling was particularly marvelous.
Chinese Children Work Hard, a Brilliant Future Awaits
“From Shanghai to Henan, as the regions change, a whole new experience unfolds.” The Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, Henan, one of the birthplaces of Chinese Kung Fu, holds the saying “All Kung Fu under Heaven originates from Shaolin, and Shaolin Kung Fu is the best.” Watching a martial arts performance at Shaolin Temple, the Chulin couple was deeply touched by the spirit and light in the children's eyes. “Starting to learn martial arts at such a young age, Chinese children are hardworking and dedicated. Their future is bound to be brilliant.”
After the Henan journey, Igor Chulin and his travel group took a high-speed train to Xi'an. Experiencing the world-renowned “Chinese speed” for the first time, Igor Chulin gave it a thumbs-up. “Stable, clean, traveling between two provinces in the blink of an eye, it’s incredible. Especially for tourists, it's both convenient and comfortable.” Igor Chulin told the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reporter that he heard China’s high-speed rail is popular nationwide, which is fantastic, making the Chinese people very fortunate.
Posing with Hanfu-Clad Youth, Feeling the Beauty of Vitality
The “eighth wonder of the world,” the Terracotta Army in Lintong, Xi'an, is not only the most representative scenic spot in Xi'an but also a landmark for Chinese tourism. “The Terracotta Army is so famous. Back in Russia, we constantly saw it on TV and the internet, so we had to see it in Xi'an.” However, upon arriving in Xi'an, before even visiting the Terracotta Army, Igor Chulin and his wife were already captivated by the young men and women dressed in Tang and Han clothing on the streets.
“'Beauty' allows one to feel happiness and joy. Seeing them so pleasing to the eye brings us instant, heartfelt joy,” Igor Chulin remarked. Xi'an is an ancient yet modern city. Seeing a group of people seemingly from the ancient past on the quaint streets induces a strong sense of immersion, which he thoroughly enjoys. Beyond the beauty of their attire, the vigor exuded by these young men and women also deeply impressed Igor Chulin. “So many young people, especially the girls, wearing Tang and Han clothing with exquisite hair pieces—it amazed us how much they love life and their country.” On the streets of Xi'an, Igor Chulin and his wife took many photos with the youths in Hanfu, hoping to capture the most beautiful moments while also feeling and spreading some of their sunshine and vitality.
Abundant Payment Methods, Nonstop “Shopping”
During their time in Xi'an, Igor Chulin and his wife toured famous spots like the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an City Wall, Terracotta Army, and Huaqing Palace, and tasted delicacies such as meat sandwiches and mutton soup. While continually becoming fans, they also transformed into shopping enthusiasts, continuously “shopping” along the way.
“The renminbi has now become a global ‘hard currency.’ Before coming to China, we exchanged a lot of it.” To Igor Chulin's surprise, after arriving in China, he discovered there were so many payment methods. “Cash payments are smooth, Visa and UnionPay cards can be swiped anywhere. I heard there’s also WeChat and Alipay, where you can travel all over China with just a phone.” Igor Chulin said with a smile, “We didn’t get a chance this time, but next time we come to China, we definitely want to try it.”
From Shanghai to Henan, and then to Shaanxi, on their journey, while buying gifts for friends and family, Igor Chulin and his wife also took many photos and videos. “We posted them on social media platforms and sent them to many friends to share our joy with them.” Igor Chulin told the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reporter that their friends in Russia, after seeing these photos and videos, are eager to visit China for tourism.