TEHRAN – A recent visit to Iran by a group of Chinese social media influencers has sparked discussions about their fresh perceptions of the country along with their people’s common stereotypes about Iran.

In a familiarization tour titled “Salam Iran” (Hello Iran), approximately 10 Chinese nationals embarked on a journey to explore Iran’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.

With the slogan “nature and climatic diversity,” the influencers traversed through Tehran, Hormozgan, Qeshm, Isfahan, and Kerman, visiting attractions such as Mount Tochal, the deserts, Shahdad village, and the Persian Gulf, ILNA reported on Wednesday.

Speaking to ILNA, one of the visitors remarked, “The reality of Iran is not being conveyed in the Chinese online space.”

Despite the misconception of war in Iran, our visit revealed a tranquil and culturally rich country, abundant in history and beauty.

By showcasing the country’s attractions and hospitality, the fam tour is intended to bridge the gap between the misrepresented image and the actual experiences of travelers.

Here is a selection of the influencer’s opinions shared with ILNA:

Abundance of war-related news about Iran

In her reflections, Ye Yun addressed the prevalent misconceptions about Iran within the Chinese online community.

Yun noted the absence of positive news about the country circulating on Chinese social media platforms. She expressed concern over the dominance of narratives depicting Iran as a place lined with conflict and insecurity.

These narratives, she observed, have contributed to a perception of the Middle East (West Asia) as an inherently unsafe region in the eyes of many Chinese.

She remarked, “While we, as young individuals with access to online information, may recognize that Iran is not at war and is relatively safe to visit, the majority of Chinese people refrain from actively seeking information and instead rely on the prevailing narrative within our society, which portrays Iran as unsafe.”

Moreover, she highlighted the abundance of war-related news about Iran currently dominating the Chinese internet space.

Ye emphasized that her research dispelled these misconceptions, revealing Iran as a safe and culturally rich destination worthy of exploration. She acknowledged the importance of firsthand experiences in reshaping perceptions and stressed the significance of interacting with Iranian people and witnessing their way of life.

“For Chinese tourists, the most valuable and captivating aspect of visiting Iran is encountering its people and experiencing their way of life,” Ye stated.

She expressed her enjoyment of this aspect of her journey, highlighting the warmth and hospitality she encountered. Additionally, she praised Iran’s diverse natural attractions, which she believes hold great appeal for Chinese travelers seeking unique destinations.

Beyond desert and heat

Wei Ran, who recently visited Iran, has shared fascinating insights into her journey, challenging common misconceptions about the country and the Middle East (West Asia) as a whole.

Reflecting on her preconceptions, Wei remarked, “What we know about Iran and the Middle East at first glance is that Iran is not a very big country, and secondly, it’s all desert.”

However, her trip revealed a vastly different reality. “On our journey to Iran, we were able to ski, see mountains, and even experience a slight touch of snow just a short distance away from the desert,” she explained.

Despite the misconception of war in Iran, our visit revealed a tranquil and culturally rich country, abundant in history and beauty.From the freezing temperatures of Mount Tochal to the scorching heat of Qeshm Island, Wei Ran, and her companions experienced a wide range of climates within Iran.

She noted that many Chinese initially perceive Iran to have a climate similar to that of the UAE or Saudi Arabia—extremely hot. However, the diversity of landscapes they encountered, including snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and pristine beaches, shattered these stereotypes.

“One of the most captivating aspects of Iran for me was experiencing both cold and hot weather in a short period,” Wei said.

“Seeing snow in Iran, a country I had perceived as warm, was particularly intriguing.”

Wei expressed her excitement about returning to Iran to explore more of its UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighting the allure of the country’s rich cultural and historical attractions. She also expressed admiration for unique natural wonders, such as the Valley of Stars on Qeshm Island, which left a lasting impression on her.

Impressed by Iran’s Natural Beauty and Cultural Heritage

Zou Xingyu has expressed admiration for Iran’s pristine natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage following a recent visit to Qeshm Island.

Zou emphasized the allure of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and expressed the intention of returning to explore them further.

“On my journey to Qeshm, I encountered the untamed nature of Iran, which left a lasting impression on me,” Zou remarked.

Zou expressed a desire to revisit Iran to explore its famed UNESCO sites, highlighting the significance of these landmarks in attracting Chinese tourists.

The traveler noted that the Silk Road and its associated attractions, along with Iran’s people and culture, serve as compelling reasons for Chinese travelers to visit the country.

“In China, the pressures of work and life are significant, leading to widespread feelings of discontent within society,” Zou shared.

According to Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the number of Chinese arrivals in Iran has been soaring at a faster pace even when compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“The demand for visiting Iran has been soaring among Chinese nationals,” the deputy tourism minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian said last November. He made the remarks in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Lu Ying Chuang held in Tehran’s Sa’dabad historical complex.

Shalbafian said some 50,000 travelers from China visited the Islamic Republic during the first seven months of the year (started on March 21, 2023).

“Iran has hosted many Chinese tourists in the past few months, and in particular, after the end of Coronavirus,” Shalbafian added.

In a comparison with the same period in the year 1398 (started in Mar. 2019), the official said: “Chinese arrivals in the current year have been higher than that in 98, though the number of flights has almost halved.”

Insignificant numbers of Chinese restaurants, Chinese-language guides, or even unfitting lodging facilities have been among the main reasons cited by experts why Chinese arrivals in Iran fall short of expectations.

AM