Guangzhou City promotes itself with overseas visitors

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With Guangzhou earning its keep as south China's premier destination, the city is trying more than ever to attract foreigner tourists.

Dozens of foreign travel experts and their families were invited by Guangzhou Tourism Board and Municipal Government to spend the Spring Festival holiday in the city. It's an expense-paid five-day trip capturing the best Guangzhou has to offer.

Canadian Barry Gossen is in the cruise business, and says he'll be recommending Guangzhou to his clients in the future.

"I think it’s a great area to come to, I think it’s a fantastic time of the year to do it," says Gossen, who learned of the trip from a friend at China Star Holidays one week before flying to Guangzhou from Vancouver. "This is real springtime for us and even early summer."

Canton Tower's evening light shows are a big hit for the last two weeks of February. /CGTN Photo

Ruth Johnston of Adelaide, Australia came with her 13-year-old son. The two are the driving forces behind Exploramum.com.

"We’re going to be seeing the circus, and the safari park, and lots of things old and new," she says. "I think it’s a very good mix."

A mix that also includes Canton Tower, the Five-Ram Statue, and some of the city's famous temples.

And, of course, as with every spring holiday, the three-day Guangzhou Spring Festival Flower Fair is a must see. It ushers guests right into the start of the Chinese New Year. Gifts, food, vendors, and more flowers than one can count are all on hand.

But whether buying or browsing, the overseas guests were part of an annual event rich in history and tradition, and it's something, they feel, which can have a global appeal.

"I enjoyed the flowers, the cultural items, cultural places, and the food, definitely the food," says Antonio Alegre, from Barcelona Spain.