A LONG WAY
A growing number of Chinese are making the long journey to one of the world’s longest countries. Xu Lin reports on Chile’s growing appeal.
Easter Island’s stone statues. Latin American culture. Exceptional wine. Chile’s offerings make it worth a long-haul flight, says 40-yearold Beijing resident Ma Limei.
It took her 33 hours to fly from Beijing to Santiago, with a layover in Paris, in September 2016.
The additional five-hour flight from Chile’s capital to Easter Island was a worthwhile tack-on to her already long trip.
“It’s a marvelous island, with unique views of the magnificent moai statues and the beautiful ocean,” she says. “It’s tranquil.” Some archeologists believe the early Rapa Nui people created the moai to honor their ancestors or other celebrated people.
The island also hosts an ancient ritual in which competitors climb seaside cliffs, swim to Motu Nui islet to collect sooty tern bird eggs and swim back to Easter Island.
Ma also explored the Casablanca wine region between Santiago and Valparaiso city. She visited the former residence of Chilean poet and politician Pablo Neruda in Valparaiso. And she enjoyed panoramic views of the bay and graffiticoated walls.
Ma is among a growing number of Chinese travelers discovering Chile, a country that spans South America, Oceania and Antarctica.
“Chile has been striving to promote the country as a destination among Chinese travelers in recent years,” says Andreas Pierotic, minister counselor for economic and commercial affairs at the Chilean embassy in Beijing.
“We look forward to more exchanges in tourism and education.”
Over 24,000 Chinese visited Chile last year, nearly twice as many as in 2015.
“Thanks to easier air access and visa policies, there are more Chinese visiting Latin American countries than before,” he says.
Pierotic recalls stopovers lasted as long as a full day when he flew to Beijing in the early 1990s. There are now many flights with layovers lasting just a few hours. And there are more air connections among cities in Chile.
Chinese who have visas issued by the United States or Canada that are valid for six months or longer can visit Chile visa-free since July 2015. Other Latin American countries announced similar policies soon after.
“Chile boasts diverse tourism resources, ranging from the Andes Mountains to cultural heritage,” Pierotic says.
“In the morning, you go skiing on snowcapped mountains. And in the afternoon, you can enjoy ocean views on a beach.”
He also recommends the Atacama Desert where flowers bloom in the driest place in the world. It’s considered to be one of the best spots on the planet to view the stars because there’s little cloud cover or pollution.
Atacama hosts observatories where visitors can view the Milky Way and meteor showers through telescopes.
Chile is also a hub for sports and adventure, including hiking, says Andrea Mella Figueroa, director of Hong Kong-based tourism-consulting company Hemisferio China.
It’s one of the world’s longest countries, stretching over 4,270 kilometers from south to north. The Greater Patagonian Trail is an informal yet internationally renowned 3,000-km route that crosses forests, volcanoes, snowcaps and glaciers.
She also recommends the mountains around Chillan city for winter skiing and summer trekking.
Chile is also known for health and leisure, she says.
The country has over 270 thermal springs and many massage centers that offer special oil and wine therapies that are believed to be good for the skin.
And Chile plans to enhance its appeal by offering new itinerary items.
“It’s important to develop emerging destinations so there will be tourists yearround,” sustainable-tourism specialist Felipe Vera Soto says.
“Tourism authorities are working not only on promotion but also to develop a new portfolio of sustainable-tourism products in northern, central and southern Chile in order to diversify the economy and expand the peak season.”
Indeed, Chile’s many offerings, increased flights and relaxed visa policies suggest more Chinese will be making the long journey to explore the long country throughout the year. Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn