Glittering lakes, spicy food and warm hospitality: Five reasons to visit Jiuzhaigou
JIUZHAIGOU, China – Tucked along the edge of the Tibetan plateau is one of Sichuan province's most captivating gems – Jiuzhaigou.
Jiuzhaigou, which translates to 'Nine Village Valley', is situated in its namesake county within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in China.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Hurricane Erin brings coastal flooding to North Carolina, Virginia in US
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A satellite image shows Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season over the Atlantic Ocean, on Aug 20. WASHINGTON - Hurricane Erin brought coastal flooding to parts of North Carolina and Virginia as it made its closest approach to the US mainland early on Aug 21. High waves washed over Highway 12 that links the Outer Banks island chain, making parts impassable, images posted by local authorities showed – proving the giant storm's ability to kick up dangerous seas hundreds of miles from its centre. Though the Mid-Atlantic bore the brunt of the impacts, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) urged beachgoers throughout the entire East Coast to refrain from swimming to avoid being caught in potentially life-threatening conditions. In a morning update, the NHC said Category 2 Erin was packing winds of 169kmh and creeping slowly north-north-east. It is expected to weaken as it moves further out to sea in the next couple of days. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30, has entered its historical peak. Despite a relatively quiet start with just five named storms so far including Erin, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to forecast an above-normal season. Scientists say climate change is supercharging tropical cyclones: warmer oceans fuel stronger winds, a warmer atmosphere intensifies rainfall, and higher sea levels magnify storm surge. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Courier tip-off leads to HSA seizure of Kpods, drugs in Tampines and Grange Road raids Singapore Large flocks of parakeets a spectacle in Choa Chu Kang, but they may affect native species Singapore Singapore students shine in Paris with record medal haul at history Olympiad Singapore Teacher charged over allegedly making student undress in video call, sending her his nude photo Business Changi Travel Services cuts 30 staff amid market shifts Singapore Singapore Parliament releases seating plan for 15th term: Find out who is sitting where Asia HK water scandal: How distrust over China bottled water sparked a probe into govt contract Asia Indonesia's Gaza rescue bid: Help or hype? There is also some evidence, though less certainty, that climate change is making hurricanes more frequent. AFP
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
Berlin courts tourists as Paris and Barcelona tire of the crowds
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A woman takes a photo of the Brandenburg Gate with her mobile phone in Berlin, Germany, August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse BERLIN - As many southern European cities grow tired of tourists, Berlin is pitching itself as an antidote to the crowds, blistering heatwaves and anti-tourism protests causing problems elsewhere. The German capital is promoting its cutting-edge art scene, Prussian palaces and famed techno clubs to boost a tourism sector that has lagged behind the post-pandemic boom seen in other parts of Europe. "We really don't have a problem with overtourism," said Christian Taenzler, spokesperson for the VisitBerlin tourism board. "The city is large and people spread out. Especially in summer, when Berliners are away, there's quite a lot of space." Berlin - home to about 4 million people - drew 5.9 million visitors in the first half of the year, accounting for 13.9 million overnight stays, according to the Berlin-Brandenburg statistics office. That marks a fall of 1.8% and 2.9% respectively from a year earlier. Hotel occupancy averaged 52.8% during the same period, lagging Madrid's 65% and 79% in Paris, cities where tourism has rebounded more quickly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, before the pandemic, Berlin drew nearly 14 million tourists, with 34 million overnight stays. Tourism generated 4.6% of Berlin's output in 2023, including indirect effects, according to the estimates of a DIW Econ study. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore Parliament releases seating plan for 15th term: Find out who is sitting where Singapore Courier tip-off leads to HSA seizure of Kpods, drugs in Tampines and Grange Road raids Singapore District judge signals sterner penalties for vaping offences, cites public concern Singapore S'pore students shine in Paris with record medal haul at history Olympiad Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire at Bukit Purmei flat Singapore Playing down Tuaspring's energy business the core of Hyflux's investor relations strategy: Defence Singapore Alleged vape seller faces new charge after he was found with more than 190 Kpods Singapore Police looking for car driver after hit-and-run incident with lorry in Kallang In comparison, tourism accounts for roughly 14% of the local economy in Paris and Rome, and 8% in Madrid, and Berlin is more reliant on cost-conscious German travellers. Meanwhile, international arrivals fell by 4.7% in the first half. CLIMATE TRENDS Some tourist boards hope climate trends will shift demand north in the years to come. A European Commission Joint Research Centre study found heatwaves are making southern destinations less attractive in peak summer. "While this theme may well emerge over the coming years, there is little evidence of it so far," said Adrian Prettejohn, Europe economist at Capital Economics, noting that so far there has been only a shift to the off-peak season. Taenzler said Berlin - where maximum summer temperatures are normally about 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) - should appeal to tourists seeking cooler climes. "We are a very green city, with a lot of water and swimming options, and a lot of shade ... I think that will gain in importance in the future," Taenzler said. Industry figures blame weaker international visitor growth partly on Berlin's new airport, BER, which opened in 2020. In 2024, BER passenger numbers rose 10.4% to 25.5 million, well below the 35.7 million handled by the former Tegel and Schoenefeld airports combined in 2019. "Recovery in passenger volumes is just under 85% for Germany," said Ralph Beisel, head of the ADV airports association. Low-cost carrier Ryanair said in August last year it would cut flights at BER by 20%. Ryanair's DAC CEO Eddie Wilson has repeatedly complained about taxes, noting that Berlin's airport has capacity for 50 million passengers. Despite higher airfares, Berlin's restaurants, hotels and attractions remain relatively affordable. "Prices in Berlin are absolutely moderate," said Jan Philipp Bubinger, managing partner of the Staendige Vertretung restaurant. Some people blame Berlin's disappointing tourist numbers on months of negative headlines about cutbacks in the cultural sector, traditionally one of its biggest draws. Berlin's government wants to cut about 130 million euros from the 2025 culture budget. "What's being done here is catastrophic budgeting," Greens lawmaker Julian Schwarze said. "If the impression arises that culture is being lost, then I'll save myself the trip to Berlin." REUTERS
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thailand proposes free domestic flights to draw 200,000 foreign tourists by end-2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Tourists are seen inside the Grand Palace, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 20. BANGKOK - Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong plans to request a 700 million baht (S$27.6 million) budget from the Cabinet for a domestic flight giveaway initiative aimed at attracting at least 200,000 international tourists to various destinations across Thailand. Mr Sorawong said on Aug 20 that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the Cabinet next week for the allocation of the budget to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The initiative, 'Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,' aims to encourage foreign tourists to explore destinations beyond Thailand's major tourist cities. The TAT will collaborate with six domestic airlines—Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways International (Thai), Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet—on joint promotional activities to boost Thailand's tourism industry as a key driver of economic growth. 'The government will support domestic flight tickets priced at 1,750 baht per one-way trip and 3,500 baht for round trips. The initiative aims to attract at least 200,000 foreign tourists, covering destinations across Thailand, with a particular focus on Unesco-designated cities, popular tourist spots, and key destinations nationwide,' Mr Sorawong explained. 'The total budget for this project is 700 million baht, which will run from August to December, with travel to take place from September to November.' International tourists purchasing standard airfare tickets into Thailand through airlines' websites or directly with multi-city options from Thai and Bangkok Airways, or via fly-thru/check-through services from Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Thai, or through online travel agents (OTAs), will receive complimentary round-trip tickets for domestic flights along with a 20kg luggage allowance. Each traveller will be entitled to two domestic flight tickets (one for departure and one for return), or can opt for a one-way ticket depending on their travel plans. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore Parliament releases seating plan for 15th term: Find out who is sitting where Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire at Bukit Purmei flat Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE Life Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts, some hawkers ask Singapore Continuing to ensure credibility non-negotiable for ST: Editor Jaime Ho Singapore There's no 'I' in team: What PM Wong's National Day Rally message means for Singapore Singapore Alleged vape seller faces new charge after he was found with more than 190 Kpods Business Great Eastern shares open at $13.50 after year-long suspension, bonus issue The scheme is expected to generate a direct revenue of at least 8.81 billion baht from international tourist spending, with a broader economic impact estimated at 21.80 billion baht. This initiative draws inspiration from Japan's 'free domestic flights' campaign, which aims to distribute tourist traffic away from major cities and into secondary destinations. It aligns with the Thai government's policy of declaring 2025 as the 'Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year'. Mr Sorawong also provided an update on the 'Half-Price Thailand Travel' scheme, a domestic tourism promotion. He reported that bookings for major tourist cities have already reached capacity, while approximately 54,075 out of the 500,000 available spots remain in secondary cities, with full usage expected by September. The Ministry of Tourism is set to consult with TAT to assess the success of the current scheme and explore the possibility of a second phase. Discussions will focus on the remaining budget and the potential economic benefits for the tourism sector, particularly in less-visited regions. If Phase 2 is approved, it will be tailored to better meet the needs of secondary cities, he added. THE NATION/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK
