Foreign tourists show interest in Wuxi's culture. [Photo provided to gowuxi.com]

The second China International Travel Trade Matchmaking Conference was held in Liangxi district, Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 29.

The event gathered over 200 participants, including representatives from domestic and international travel businesses, foreign tourists, various media outlets, and online media platforms.

Serving as a platform to display the high-quality tourism offerings in Wuxi, the event aimed to facilitate effective connections between buyers and sellers within the tourism supply chain.

During the event, an optimization of the departure tax refund policy was introduced. This new policy raised the cash refund limit from 10,000 yuan ($1,391.65) to 20,000 yuan. As a result, tourists can now receive cash refunds on the spot as long as the refund amount falls within the 20,000 yuan limit.

Douglas Dueño, a tourist from the United States, expressed his admiration for Wuxi's stunning natural landscapes, historic architecture, and laid-back lifestyle, which have fascinated him to return to the city. He was surprised by introducing a new "tourist visa fast lane" and providing tour guide videos in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean on electronic screens.

"It's much more convenient than it was three years ago. I will recommend this city to more friends and anticipate further improvements in payment methods and entry and exit procedures," he said.

The "starry dome" is recognized by Guinness World Records. [Photo provided to gowuxi.com]

In the evening, an immersive night tour set sail on the ancient Grand Canal in Liangxi district. Through the use of virtual reality technology, tourists transitioned from being mere spectators of history to becoming active participants. They explored canal landmarks to uncover Wuxi's unique narrative, enhanced by the Wu dialect song, Scenery of Wuxi. An augmented reality ink painting further revealed the city's rich historical tapestry, deepening their understanding of its cultural heritage.

Guinness World Records has recognized the "starry dome" lighting installation along the boat tour route as the largest display of fiber optic lights around the world. The radiant lights, cascading like the Milky Way, cast a dreamy and enchanting reflection upon the age-old canal, creating a nostalgic ambiance reminiscent of the bustling canal life in ancient times.