Tourists from Southeast Asia appreciate dough sculpture artworks at a booth at Mingshui Ancient Town in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, on April 11, 2025. [Photo by Liu Chuan/For chinadaily.com.cn]

A total of 150 tourists from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia gathered at Mingshui Ancient Town in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province on Friday to explore the city known for its springs.

The event included activities such as flower arranging and hanfu (traditional Han Chinese clothing) experience, providing a complete and immersive experience of Shandong's romantic spring ambiance.

Sun Lei, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted the strong cultural and geographical connections between Shandong and Southeast Asia and the broad potential for cultural and tourism collaboration.

Tourists from Southeast Asia visit a spring in Zhangqiu district of Jinan, Shandong province, on April 11, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Shandong has been enhancing travel infrastructure, offering diverse travel routes and ensuring top-notch services to make sure tourists can explore Shandong comfortably and completely," said Sun.

In recent years, Jinan has launched direct flights connecting the city with Bangkok and Singapore. The city has also significantly enhanced entry procedures, currency exchange services, and tax refund processes for inbound tourists, significantly improving the overall travel experience of entry processes, said Ren Guangfeng, vice-mayor of Jinan.

Adeline Wong Wan Ying, a tourist from Malaysia, shared that during her visit to Shandong, she was consistently impressed by the richness of Qilu culture, the essence of Confucius and Mencius' birthplace, and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Tourists from Southeast Asia appreciate dough sculpture artworks at a booth at Mingshui Ancient Town in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province, on April 11, 2025. [Photo by Liu Chuan/For chinadaily.com.cn]

"The reputation of 'Friendly Shandong' is not just a slogan but a genuine reflection of the welcoming atmosphere experienced," she said.

Since October 2024, nearly 10,000 tourists from Southeast Asia have visited Shandong, according to data from provincial authorities.

编辑：曹晓旭