What keeps Chinese coming: scenic vistas, history and shopping

A sledge jingles along a snow path in Finland.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Visiting the US and Europe has never been easier for Chinese travelers. Several factors, including better visa policies, a good exchange rate against the euro and dollar and improved public transportation, have contributed to the rise in the number of Chinese visiting the US and Europe, according to Zhang Yi, director of operations at qyer.com, a popular Chinese website that offers outbound travel tips and services.

The US

The number of Chinese travelers visiting the US has grown since 2008, thanks to frequent cultural exchanges and the wide variety of packages offered by travel agencies.

"We have seen an annual growth of at least 50 percent in the US travel business since 2010," says an official with Caissa Travel Management Co.

The company offers group travel, backpacking and family services to meet the various needs of travelers. The US has well-developed tourism infrastructure and services as well as abundant travel and shopping resources, says the official. The west and east coasts are traditionally popular destinations for Chinese tourists born after 1980, who generally don't have language problems, says Zhang Yi.

Qyer recently began offering a trip that takes visitors for a ride down Route 66, the US "mother road" that runs from the east coast to the west. The route enables Chinese tourists to experience some of the history of the US, says Zhang.

Caissa began offering a 12-day trip exploring Alaska and Yellowstone National Park this summer, and a 12-day luxury trip to California, Chicago and the west coast. Both routes have received positive reviews from travelers, according to the company.