Travel during the Golden Week: Five destinations to go!

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China's National Day Holiday is coming, so are you ready for your next destination? CGTN has listed five ideal destinations for Chinese tourists to go for outbound travel during the upcoming holidays. Come and take a look!

1. Morocco

As one of the liberal countries in North Africa and a gateway to the continent, Morocco is more than a romantic Instagram paradise of patterned plates, blue walls and glamorous camel selfies. With beautiful rainbows, spice-market smells and an urban orchestra of sounds – Morocco is impressive at first sight.

Besides its beautiful hot spots, the country is also regarded as a food paradise. The traditional hand-packed rice, delicious snail soup, sweet mint tea... the local food will make the trip linger on your taste buds.

Alleyway in Chefchaouen, Morocco / VCG Photo

Dubbed "simply the nicest place on Earth to spend an afternoon" by Winston Churchill, these years Morocco has become a popular country for travelers from home and abroad. When you feel tired of the hustle and bustle of urban life and want to take a peek into the mysterious dessert, Morocco would be the perfect fit. For Chinese tourists, the National Day Holiday would be the best time to travel! Just pack your luggage and go!

Market At Rahba Qedima, Marrakech, Morocco /VCG Photo

Visa information

Since Morocco officially implemented a visa-free policy for Chinese travelers on June 1, 2016, Chinese citizens can enter Morocco without a visa and stay for a maximum of 90 days.

2. Fiji

Considered a paradise for holidays and also an ideal place for couples to spend the honeymoon, Fiji enjoys world-class beaches, hotels and food.

Dazzling sands, perfect palm trees and waters so blue they glow – Fiji's beaches look airbrushed. Remember to take a Blue Lagoon Cruise as it might be a great option for you to sample several islands on your Fiji holiday. Additionally, the cruises offer a choice of three different itineraries in the picture-postcard Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands.

Resort huts beside coral sand beach, lagoon has outer coral reef, Mana Island, Fiji /VCG Photo

Fiji is also famous for the warm hospitality of the local residents. Wherever you go, locals will say "Bula" to you, which means "Hello" in English. Here you don't have to worry about getting lost, as residents will guide you in the right direction.

If you want to relax and forget about the time, just slow down and experience "Fiji Time," which is perhaps the true meaning of holiday travel.

Visa information

Chinese tourists who travel to Fiji with a valid passport and take a round-trip air ticket can enjoy visa-free access and stay there for up to 30 days.

3. Myanmar

Myanmar is a mysterious country that has more to explore. As Myanmar develops and opens up to the outside world, travelers are flocking there to take a glimpse of this captivating country.

In Myanmar, you could take the little train to travel around the city center and experience local life. It is not only a pilgrimage site, but also a spiritual paradise for local residents.

Shwedagon pagoda in Myanmar /VCG Photo

This golden week, Myanmar would expect to attract more Chinese tourists to the country because of the upcoming visa facilitation. In addition, the Myanmar government will set up online payment platforms "Alipay" and "WeChat Pay" for Chinese visitors.

Visa information

Starting October 1 this year, Myanmar will implement the visa-on-arrival policy for Chinese tourists. The good news is that visitors now just need a valid passport to get a visa after arriving at the Myanmar International Airport.

4. Belarus

Lying at the edge of Eastern Europe, Belarus offers much more to travelers than you could ever fit into a single visit. This country might seem like an uncommon choice for travelers, but when you once go there for travel, you will soon fall in love with this amazing country.

With a simple yet pleasing landscape of cornflower fields, thick forests and picturesque villages, Belarus owns the fascinating landscape as well as the stunning hot spots. In addition, if you are interested in the history of the Soviet Union, just head to the capital city Minsk! You will not be disappointed!

Nesvizh Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Belarus /VCG Photo

Visa information

Starting August 10 this year, Chinese citizens who hold a regular passport can enjoy visa-free entry into Belarus and stay no more than 30 days.

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)

Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a European country that borders Croatia to the north. The iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) sits among Ottoman-era architecture and has become one of the popular sites for visitors. Apart from that, there are other tourist attractions like Vranduk Castle and Tunnel Museum.

With the numerous medieval castle ruins and beautiful beach resorts, it's impossible not to fall in love with the beautiful landscape when travelling across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Old Town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina /VCG Photo

In addition, tourism, regarded as one of the fastest growing sectors in the Balkan country, brings in significant revenue. According to data from BiH's Agency for Statistics, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) received 6,161 Chinese tourists between January and April of 2018, an increase of 77.9 percent year-on-year.

It is expected that the figures will continue to increase as the surge of the Chinese tourists go there for travel during the Golden Week.

Visa information

China's agreement to a mutual visa-free regime with BiH became effective on May 29 of this year. According to the agreement, holders of valid ordinary passports of both countries' citizens shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into, exit from, stay in or transit through the territory of the other country during the period of stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Chinese National Day is celebrated on Oct. 1 annually to commemorate the founding of the People's Republic of China. The 7-day holiday, also called the "Golden Week," is from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7, during which a large number of Chinese tourists would travel around the country and also partake in outbound travel. Under such circumstances, many countries would expect an influx of Chinese tourists to contribute to their tourism sectors.