QINGDAO -- The coastal city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, renowned for its stunning scenery and delectable seafood and beer, has experienced a notable increase in international tourists this year.

Thanks to easier entry and enhanced promotion of its cultural and tourism resources, the city has experienced significant growth in inbound tourism.

In the first seven months of this year, about 281,900 foreign travelers arrived through the Qingdao Airport, marking a year-on-year increase of 47.82 percent.

In the Tsingtao Beer Museum, South Korean tourist Jin Seok-cheol, visiting China for the first time with his friends, expressed excitement about their week-long itinerary. They plan to explore the Qingdao International Sailing Center, take a cruise, wander through unique streets, and enjoy Tsingtao beer, a beloved local brand.

"Taking a taxi is very convenient, and there are many things to see. The beer is also great. I’ve been wandering around Qingdao all day while drinking beer. It's really fun," said Jin.

Thanks to Qingdao's geographical proximity to South Korea and Japan, along with its status as a major air gateway for both countries, the number of travelers from the two neighboring countries entering China through Qingdao has surged this year.

So far, the city has received 201,900 visitors from South Korea and 22,000 from Japan, together accounting for 79.43 percent of all foreign visitors. Additionally, there has been an increase in tourists from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, totaling 19,200.
"I visited Qingdao last year and I also visited the museum so I really liked it. That's why I'm here second time," said a Kazakhstani tourist.