Capital attraction

The DC area's monuments, beaches and cuisine are drawing a growing number of Chinese visitors, Xu Lin reports.

Chen Sixiao loves the beautiful gardens, free museums and inspiring memorials at Washington DC's National Mall.

"It's the best place to learn about the country's history, culture and art," says the 29-year-old office worker from Shanghai.

"DC is a vibrant city that offers sightseeing, cuisine and colorful activities. The locals are willing to offer help when we're in need."

She and her friend also enjoyed the beaches, seafood and boutique stores in nearby Anne Arundel county, Maryland, when they visited the area last April. They also toured the United States Naval Academy to see historical buildings, including a church and monuments.

Chen is among a growing number of Chinese arrivals to the area.

"The capital region is the perfect place to experience the richness of the history and culture of the US, such as cultural heritage, outdoor activities and vineyards," says Matt Gaffney, president and CEO of Capital Region USA, Inc, the official destination-marketing organization of the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.

He recently visited Beijing with other representatives for a promotional event.

China is the region's top overseas market. About 350,000 Chinese visited in 2015, 34 percent more than in the previous year.

Air China will increase its weekly flights between Beijing and Washington Dulles International Airport from five to seven starting on May 12. The organization is also partnering with traditional and online travel agencies in China to develop in-depth itineraries.

"We have a larger share of students traveling from China than other markets, which are primarily European countries," Gaffney says.

"Students visit universities or take English-language courses, and that influences the longer stays in the region of Chinese visitors."

Most Chinese travelers to the area initially joined group tours. They'd stay a night or two as part of an East Coast package.

That segment continues to thrive, but a growing number of individual travelers are also arriving. They often rent cars to explore such destinations as the countryside and beaches.

Many make the two-hour drive from DC to Virginia - the country's fifth-largest wine producer with over 280 wineries.

It also hosts over 160 craft-beer breweries, and more will open this year.

Visitors to the Richmond region collect stamps at the breweries they visit and win a limited-edition gift at the fifth brewery.

Virginia is also the East Coast's oyster capital.

"The greatness about oysters in Virginia is the many flavors," says Virginia Tourism Corp's international marketing director, Heidi Johannesen.

"The initial saltiness is mellowed into a taste of creamy and sweet at the finish. Tourists can also pair our good wines with the delicious oysters."

Its eight production regions offer mollusks with flavors unique to their respective locations.

The annual Urbanna Oyster Festival will stage such activities as oyster-shucking contests, live music and parades on Nov 3 and 4.

Virginia Beach's gorgeous coastlines, four hours' drive from DC, host oyster farms where visitors can see how the creatures grow and are harvested.

Guided kayak tours offer dolphin sightings in which paddlers hear the creatures breathing before they see them. April to October is the best time to view the marine mammals.

Arlington and Fairfax are also popular destinations closer to DC.

Arlington county is located across the Potomac River from DC and is close to many popular attractions. It hosts 44 hotels and over 500 restaurants. The CEB Tower at Central Place will be the highest public point in the metro area when it opens, probably next year.

Fairfax county has been working to welcome more Chinese.

George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon, released its Mandarin audio guide last year.

All of the over 300 stores and restaurants in Tysons Corner Center shopping mall accept UnionPay, China's biggest bankcard provider.

Northern Virginia hosts 440 Capital Bikeshare stations. Users can learn about popular cycling routes like those along the Potomac on its website and download a map showing real-time bike availability.

There are 3,700 bikes throughout Washington DC, Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria and Montgomery.

Indeed, whether by four wheels or two, a growing number of Chinese are discovering why the DC area truly is a capital attraction.

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/08/2017 page22)