On Friday, in the serene ambiance of Golestan Palace, amidst the whispers of ancient history, I sat down with a group of Chinese media influencers visiting Tehran’s sole UNESCO-listed site.

Joanne Cai, Rae Zhu, and Mc Ruan along with other fellows embarked on a fam tour and kindly shared their experiences gained from their visits to Qazvin, Rasht, Zanjan, Tabriz and Tehran and beyond.

Here is the comprehensive transcript of our interview:

Q: How did you find your experience in Iran compared to your expectations before the trip?

Mc Ruan : “Actually, in China, before we came to Iran, what we saw or felt about Iran and its tourist parts was very limited. But later, when we arrived here, we immediately felt a warm hospitality and friendship between each other. It’s different here. You rarely feel such a sense of hospitality in China. We are strongly welcomed by Iranians here. It shocked us a lot.”

Q: Which Iranian city or cities impressed you the most and why?

Rae: “For me, it was Tabriz. Yes, I liked Tabriz. Because I feel it’s very relaxing. And I heard that people there are very smart, and they’re good at doing business, trading, something. And it has something related to China. Because I heard that the first Chinese print machine, or factory, was built in Tabriz. I read it in a book.”

Zhu: “I know that It was picked as a capital by several different dynasties. And also, the location is very good. It is connected to Turkey. Connected to the Caucasus. So, it’s different cultures combined. We like it. It’s a peaceful city.”

As media influencers, what aspects of Iranian culture and lifestyle do you believe would appeal most to Chinese travelers?

Rae: “I think Persian culture. Particularly for people who like history, who like culture, who like Persian history. They will be eager to come to Iran to experience that culture. Both of our two countries have a very long history.”

“First, we want to tell Chinese followers that Iran is different from what you thought from the media. It is totally different.”“Also [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping] has mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative, which is a popular idea in China,” Rae said.

“In ancient times, through the Silk Road, the two nations traded, exchanged goods, which actually influenced each other’s culture very much.”

Moreover, Joanne referred to Chinese porcelains that she visited in Iran.

“And the abundance of [historical] porcelains in Iran, which was originally made in China and transferred here, are very impressive because we can not even see much in our own country but we can see them in Iran,” she said.

How do you describe the hospitality and friendliness of Iranian people during your visit?

Mc Ruan : “Definitely, Iranian people show huge hospitality and friendship towards Chinese people. This is what makes us very, very happy. Also, during our trip, Iranians were very happy to listen to us, and talk to us, to change ideas and interact with us, to learn our stories, and to know our life in China.”

What advice do you give to Chinese travelers who are considering visiting Iran for the first time?

Mc Ruan : “First, we want to tell Chinese followers that Iran is different from what you thought from the media. It is totally different. So, this is a very safe country. So, you don’t need to be afraid to come here, just open your mind, open your heart to come here, and you will experience many historical sites as well as traditional, local Iranian food.”

Rae added: “That’s all unique to us, and even like today when we are visiting Golestan Palace, it seems amazing with different halls.”

Were there any surprises or unexpected discoveries you made during your trip that you didn’t anticipate beforehand?

Rae: “That was about an Iranian lady. We met an Iranian lady in Rasht who was very lovely. She was like a traditional Iranian lady, wearing a black Chador, and at first sight, she looked a little stubborn and hard to deal with. But in reality, she was very responsible for everything, and she cared for every one of us and made fun of all of us during our two-day stay in Rasht.”

“Yeah, so we were very impressed by her character because we initially thought a woman in a black Chador might be very traditional. Also, she was very smart, she holds a PhD,” she added.

What aspects of Iranian cuisine did you enjoy the most? Do you think it could appeal to the taste of Chinese travelers?

Joanne: “We all like Dizi (meat and potato stew with beans) that we ate in Tabriz. It was very good. It was very close to Chinese flavor because we have a similar dish in the western part of China.

Mc Ruan : “A difference, when it comes to food is that here, in Iran, we think that all the materials used, no matter whether meat or vegetables, are all very good, it’s better than China.”

“That is because, here it may be more organic in Iran. But maybe in China, we have a lot of manufacturing ways to grow them. Yes, so we all think it’s better here than foodstuffs in China.”

“For flavor, of course, for the cooking way, that’s a little bit different from Chinese. But in general, I think that Chinese travelers would like Iranian cuisine. I have been here in Iran many times, and every time, I have experienced Iranian food. But when we go back to China, I still miss Iranian food, because it’s delicious, and it’s good,” he explained.

It is worth mentioning that their visits became even more enriched under insights provided by the experienced Iranian tour guide flight attendant, Pariya Habibi, who illuminated hidden gems and untold stories at every turn, adding a layer of cultural richness to their exploration.

As our conversation came to an end amidst the historic grandeur of the palace, it became evident that the journey of these Chinese nationals wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was a profound exploration of culture, history, and the warmth of human connection that transcends borders.

AFM