On October 28 and 29, the "Let's Hit the Country" program to promote rural tourism internationally, together with an immersive experience event in Shifosi Village, Yanqing District, took place in Beijing. Social media influencers from Mexico, Egypt, and other countries, along with international students from universities across Beijing, visited Shifosi Village for an autumn tour of the countryside on the capital's outskirts.

Shifosi Village is located in the southern part of Badaling Town, Yanqing District, at the foot of the Shuiguan (Water Pass) section of the Great Wall. In recent years, the village has developed rural tourism by building on the appeal of the Great Wall, converting unused houses into a cluster of boutique homestays to create the signature experience of "viewing the Great Wall from your bed".

On the first day of the event, the visitors strolled through the village, experiencing traditional rural life at the foot of the Great Wall, as well as the village's modern amenities and pleasant surroundings. There they tried their hand at making scented sachets and posed for photos in Chinese-style clothing. Mercedes Fernandez, a Mexican influencer, said that sitting in the spacious hall, sipping tea and looking at the Great Wall in the distance was very relaxing. What surprised her even more was the range of amenities available in the village. Homestays and inns of various styles could be found throughout the village, and the one she stayed in was clean and tastefully furnished. She said it was an ideal getaway destination and added, "I would really recommend it (Shifosi Village) to my foreign friends."

Ngo Hien Minh, a Vietnamese student at the Communication University of China, described her first impression of Shifosi Village in one word: "peaceful." She said, "The weather is cool and the sunshine just makes everything perfect. I love the place. So I'll probably be back."

That afternoon, the visitors visited the Shuiguan section of the Great Wall, taking in its grandeur, and admired the forests ablaze with autumn color. Bandzenyuy Abdul Sallam, a Cameroonian student at the Beijing Institute of Technology, scaled the steep steps and gazed into the distance from a watchtower, struck by the magnificent landscape and the imposing structure. After learning that the Shuiguan section of the Great Wall was first built during the Ming Dynasty more than 400 years ago, he expressed admiration for its builders. He said that climbing the Great Wall had been a special and unforgettable experience and that he would certainly recommend it to his family and friends.

(Source: CRI Online)