Touring the Flower City: Guangzhou welcomes foreign travelers for Spring Festival

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Dozens of foreign tourists were invited by the Guangzhou Tourism Board and Municipal Government to spend the holiday in southern China. It's their way of promoting the city, whilst extending the spirit of family and gift-giving beyond China's borders. So what did the visitors think of the many unique sights and sounds of Guangzhou? Mark Fontes has this report.

With Guangzhou levelling up as a popular tourist destination, foreign visitors are singing some of its loudest praises.

"We're having a fantastic time."

"I know I am discovering a different city."

"Taking lots of pictures and some video and that type of stuff."

Travel experts from over a dozen countries on five continents were invited to bring their families to Guangzhou for an all-expenses-paid, five-day excursion, coinciding with the Spring Festival holiday.

It's part of a joint effort by the Guangzhou Tourism Board and municipal government to promote the city internationally.

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

BARRY GOSSEN CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN "I think it's a great area to come to, I think it's a fantastic time of the year to do it.

"This is real springtime for us and even early summer."

RUTH JOHNSTON AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL EXPERT "We're going to be seeing the circus, and the safari park, um, lots of things old and new, 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, there's one thing every visitor must see when they visit.

"The flowers."

This year's three-day Guangzhou Spring Festival Flower Fair -- just before the Chinese New Year -- attracted about 1.3 million guests.

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

RUTH JOHNSTON AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL EXPERT "We tell the world, because I have a website, but for families it's a great place to visit, really."

ANTONIO ALEGRE SPANISH TRAVEL EXPERT "The flowers, something like cultural items, cultural places, and the food, definitely the food."

MARK FONTES GUANGZHOU "Following their short-time here in southern China, those on the tour will go their separate ways. But it's likely they won't ever forget their few days in the 'Flower City'. Mark Fontes, CGTN, Guangzhou."