Zhangjiagang hosted the Yangtze River Basin's first inbound tour for foreign seafarers on March 11, inviting 17 crew members to explore and experience the city's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The group visited iconic sites such as Xiangshan Mountain, known as a top plum blossom viewing spot, Yongxing village, a beautiful Yangtze riverside village, and Zhangjiagang Bay, dubbed the "first bay where the Yangtze River meets the sea". They also took part in traditional intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experiences like Xiangshan stone locks, tai chi, and Suzhou Pingtan and tasted local delicacies, including plum blossom cakes, immersing themselves in the unique charm of Jiangnan culture.
International seafarers experience tai chi during the tour. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
International seafarers watch a demonstration of a local ICH technique during the tour. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
International seafarers taste plum blossom cakes during the tour. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
"Zhangjiagang is a beautiful riverside city. I visited China many times a year, but this shore leave gave me a real sense of the local culture," said Sergiy, a Ukrainian seafarer. He also noted he was impressed by the picturesque views of Xiangshan Mountain, the melodious Suzhou Pingtan, and the sweet flavor of plum blossom cakes, gaining a deeper understanding of Zhangjiagang.
Zhangjiagang is actively exploring a "culture and tourism + port" model. By organizing inbound tours for foreign seafarers, the city showcases its image as a civilized and welcoming destination while promoting Jiangnan, Yangtze River, rural, and ICH cultures. In 2024 alone, Zhangjiagang recorded 5,814 inbound and outbound ship calls and 115,270 crew movements. In the future, the city plans to continue such tourism initiatives to offer foreign seafarers high-quality travel experiences.
Zhangjiagang provides 24-hour inbound service for foreign seafarers, ensures full coverage of overseas card payments at A-level tourist attractions and star-rated hotels, and has multilingual signage across city roads and scenic spots. The city encourages scenic areas to add multilingual guides, distributes free bilingual tourism maps, and customizes premium travel routes for foreign seafarers. Efforts are underway to ensure travel agencies and related enterprises provide consistent service and support, aiming to build Zhangjiagang into a civilized, open, stylish, and comfortable international tourist destination.