The "Charming Beijing" Tourism Photo Show, hosted by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, was held in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 11th. China’s ambassador to Iceland Zhang Weidong, and Song Yu, Director-General of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, Inga Hlin Palsdottir, Director of Visit Iceland & Creative Industries of Promote Iceland attended the unveiling ceremony and gave speeches.

Song Yu, Director-General of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development said at the unveiling ceremony, although China and Iceland are miles apart, and has different national conditions and historical culture, but the two peoples have a profound traditional friendship. As of 2017, the two countries have established diplomatic ties for more than 46 years. Besides that, Iceland is a major country in the Nordic direction of The Belt and Road, and China is Iceland's largest trading partner in Asia and seventh largest in global. Both Beijing and Reykjavik have rich tourism resources in terms of beautiful natural landscape and profound culture. Reykjavik, the most northern capital of the world, apart from the beautiful scenery also has the National Museum of Iceland, the National Gallery of Iceland, the sculpture garden of the EinarJónsson Art Museum and other places of historical and cultural heritages; Beijing, capital of China for 4 dynasties, has 7 world cultural heritage sites, as well as more than 170 museums, endowed with abundant tourism resources. In 2015, more than 48,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Iceland, with year-on-year growth nearly 100%. Taking the opportunity of this promotional event, we hope to let more Icelanders know more about China and Beijing.

There are nearly hundred pieces of exquisite photography in the “Charming Beijing” Photo Show, all from domestic and overseas photographers collected by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development for many years. That is why they have a high ornamental and artistic value. This photo show themed on Ancient Capital, City of Fashion, Culture and Lifestyle and Modern Metropolis, has showed unique charm of Beijing through different perspectives, and attracted numerous local media and general public.

This promotion event has strengthened bilateral communication and cooperation on tourism development, enhanced Icelanders’ understanding toward Beijing tourism resources, and played an active role in expanding Iceland tourist market for Beijing.

Background Information

About Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development is an important division of Beijing’s Municipal Government. Its major responsibilities lie in planning and promoting the growth of the tourism industry in Beijing and in formulating and executing policies that foster and accelerate the growth of the tourism industry in Beijing.