October 30, 2026

From October 23 to 25, 2026, the China Cultural Center in the UAE was invited to co-host a tourism promotion event with Al Rais Travel Group at Al Khawaneej Walk in Dubai. Under the theme “Nihao! China,” the event introduced various Chinese travel destinations to UAE residents, aiming to enhance their awareness and understanding of China. Tourism promotion organizations representing seven destinations—China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and South Africa—participated in the event, showcasing a range of high-quality travel itineraries and distinctive tourism experiences, offering UAE residents more options for outbound travel. The event took place at Al Khawaneej Walk, a shopping and leisure destination in a residential area of northeastern Dubai known for its villas. Popular with local residents and families, the venue attracts approximately 12,000 to 18,000 visitors on weekends. The China stand highlighted tourism resources and itineraries centered on destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Suzhou. The Jiangsu Tourism (Middle East) Promotion Center presented the “Nihao! China” – “Charm of Jiangsu Meets the Gulf” tourism promotion, featuring intangible cultural heritage performances and demonstrations, including lion dancing and Chinese tea ceremonies. The energetic lion dance created a lively and festive atmosphere, while the tea ceremony demonstrations showcased the serene elegance of Chinese tea culture. The activities attracted many Emirati residents, who stopped to watch the performances, sample tea, engage in conversations and inquire about travel products to China. Handicrafts reflecting Jiangsu’s local characteristics and tourism brochures were also distributed on site and proved popular with visitors. Mohammed Al Rais, Chairman of Al Rais Travel Group in the UAE, spoke to several local media outlets and online influencers at the event. He noted that since 2024, an increasing number of the residents of the UAE had been inquiring about travel products to China. With cooperation between China and the UAE continuing to deepen across various fields, he expressed confidence that Chinese destinations such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen would soon rank among the most popular travel destinations for UAE tourists.