Sunday, September 22, 2024 Jennifer Chernay, a travel consultant from Kahala Travel, was part of a group of more than ten U.S. travel agents who embarked on their first visit to China.
During her tour of Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, she was struck by the remarkable fusion of ancient tradition and modernity, snapping photos with a puppet panda amid a backdrop that seamlessly juxtaposed classic Chinese pavilions with towering skyscrapers. From September 9 to 20, the U.S.
delegation explored some of China’s most iconic cities, including Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, and Shanghai. This immersive journey, part of a growing trend in “China Travel,” provided the agents with a firsthand experience of the country’s vibrant cultural heritage alongside its impressive modern infrastructure. Reflecting on her time in Xi’an, Chernay highlighted her visit to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, where she and her fellow agents marveled at the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors.
They even had the opportunity to try their hand at creating small figurines, an experience that left Chernay in awe. “It was mind-blowing to think the ancient Chinese crafted these by hand,” she remarked. Gabriel Valeriano, from California-based Elite Voyages, expressed similar admiration, particularly for China’s public transportation system.
“The high-speed trains and easy access to subways and buses make traveling across cities very convenient. It’s ideal for our clients,” he noted..