Comments on: How long has tourism been taking place in China?

By: Elena S

Elena S — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:33:59 +0000

foreign tourists visited China pretty regularly since 1653…
and, in most cases, they didn’t pay for sightseeing…

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By: Capt Artoro Li

Capt Artoro Li — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:18:59 +0000

Tourism is there from Marco Polo's time before Silk Road Expedition..from Europe, Italy to China, followed by India, Korea, Japan & SEAsia. World Publicity started after modernisation period and peak at Beijing Olympics in 2008. The flow from the world starts now for the next 50 years.
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By: craftylass

craftylass — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:45:59 +0000

I think we can safely say that tourism (travel for recreation or leisure) occurred in China long before 1976. All you have to do is take a look at the history of Europeans in various cities and you’ll know that tourism has happened.

This website gives a pretty thorough history of China and Europe from 1500 – 2000. It’s interesting with lots of details.

http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/chinawh/index.html

As far as modern times (post 1949), China had limited exposure to the outside world. Its ten-year closure to external influence (1966 – 1976) not only shut itself off, but sent the country reeling backwards through time. It’s a devestating time in the history of the country.

My husband visited China as a tourist in 1980. That was the first time his parents had returned to China since fleeing in 1948. It was around that time that foreign teachers were allowed into the country as well.

Good luck!
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By: Jose Nakagawa

Jose Nakagawa — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:03:59 +0000

Since Marco Polo.

Tourism to China has existed long before any reforms took place in the 70’s MODERN tourism started backup late70’s early 80’s. When the republic of China was founded, the Forbidden City of the QING empire was converted into a tourist attraction,… this was well before world war 2.
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By: Ich liebe Tokio Hotel

Ich liebe Tokio Hotel — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:40:59 +0000

You give a hint, that means you know the answer

During the cultural revolution, China was virtually closed off and even after the death of Mao when Hua Guofeng succeded the position of Chairman of Communist Party of China, there was not much change in these policies. During all these years only those foreigners who were trusted by the Communist Party or invited by them could visit China as tourists.

When Den Xiaoping was back in power six years after the death of Mao, he opened up the door for tourists in 1981-83. When Deng Xiaoping first welcomed foreign tourists back to China, Jiayuguan was one of just 28 towns he allowed them to visit.

Enjoy!!
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My two cents