Watch your behavior overseas, Chinese tourists told

Chinese tourists visit Tokyo's Ginza district for shopping in August. Japan is the second-most popular overseas destination. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese tourists have been reminded by overseas embassies to behave well and respect local laws, regulations and customs as the National Day holiday approaches.

In a security notice on its website, the Chinese embassy in Canada reminds Chinese tourists visiting the country to dress well, avoid loud arguments and to refrain from drawing graffiti.

"When flights are delayed, these tourists should do their best to understand and cooperate," the embassy said.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand released a similar notice on its website, saying that anyone traveling overseas with a condescending attitude would "ruin their own image".

Every Chinese tourist should represent the country's image, the notice said, adding, "It is true patriotism to respect other people and behave civilly."

Chinese tourists have a longer vacation this year, with Sunday's Mid-Autumn Festival falling close to the National Day holiday.

Travel agencies including Ctrip.com, China Youth Travel Service and Lvmama.com all said outbound bookings during the holiday had increased by at least by 150 percent year-on-year.

But amid the boom, some Chinese tourist shave triggered controversy with reports of bad behavior, including four visitors who vented their anger in Bangkok on Sept 4 after an announcement that their return flight to Chongqing would be delayed by about 9 hours because of bad weather and technical issues.

China Central Television reported that many scenic areas in Thailand have put up signs in Chinese reminding Chinese tourists to be well behaved.

In April, the China National Tourism Administration started to keep records of bad behavior. So far, 11 incidents have been reported on its website, including six related to tourists in Thailand.

Dai Bin, director of the China Tourism Academy, said more legal measures should be introduced to regulate tourists' behavior.

"Some behavior cannot just be categorized as uncivilized behavior, such as drawing graffiti on ancient relics. Such behavior should be punished according to laws or regulations," Dai said.