Friends from Australia Get an Authentic Taste of Beijing

As the city of Beijing is in full bloom in April, the BPAFFC received old friends from Australia China Friendship Society on the first leg of their China trip. Through this visit, the delegation not only captured the beauty of the time-honored capital city in springtime, while also adding vitality to Beijing’s initiative to develop into China’s top destination for inbound tourism.

On April 1, the BPAFFC held a welcoming ceremony for the visiting friends at the foot of the Drum and Bell Towers located at the northernmost point of the Beijing Central Axis, which has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ceremony infused with historical and cultural elements gave the delegation a fresh and nuanced understanding of the city.

After the brief ceremony, the delegation climbed the stairs to the top of the Drum and Bell Towers, overlooking the magnificent Beijing Central Axis and basking in the spring sun. They also enjoyed the stunning drum performance, visited “The Story of Time” Chinese Timekeeping Culture Exhibition, and the Year of the Snake Culture Exhibition, immersing themselves in the charm of the Beijing Central Axis and getting to know the Chinese timekeeping culture and the Chinese zodiac.

The 14-member delegation was led by Jan Everett, President of Australia China Friendship Society, and this is the first time some members of the delegation have visited China. Following the first stop in Beijing, the delegation will also take tours to Xi’an, Chongqing, and Shanghai.