According to Xinhua News Agency, from November 15 to 21, 2018, President Xi Jinping attended the 26th APEC Economic Cooperation Leaders' Informal Meeting, paid state visits to Papua New Guinea (PNG), Brunei and the Philippines, and met with the leaders of Pacific island countries that have established diplomatic relations in Papua New Guinea. During a meeting with President Of the Federated States of Micronesia of the Pacific Island Nation, Christian Chrissy, Xi Jinping pointed out that he hoped that the two sides would successfully organize the series of activities of the 2019 China-Pacific Island Countries Tourism Year.
For Chinese outbound tourists, the Pacific island countries just hit the two most popular keywords of "niche" and "island tourism". With the China-Pacific Islands Tourism Year approaching next year, Pacific island countries are expected to become a new round of popular niche destinations. So is this "Pacific island wind" fun? How to play it?
Papua New Guinea
PNG coastal scenery. Image credit/Visual China
Papua New Guinea is referred to as "Papua New Guinea", and these days because apec is held locally, "Papua New Guinea" has become a hot word. PNG belongs to the Melanesian Archipelago, with a population of about 8 million, making it the largest and most populous country in the Pacific island region. There are more than 600 islands in the whole territory, and the coastline is 8300 kilometers long, which provides it with rich animal and plant resources and island tourism resources. It is reported that Papua New Guinea has the most comprehensive terrestrial ecological species in the South Pacific Ocean, and it is also a paradise for coral reefs, and the underwater landscape is very spectacular, which is very suitable for diving. In terms of culture, PNG is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with more than 1,000 tribes, more than 800 languages, very diverse cultures and music, and holds a music and dance festival for several days every year.
Visa: A visitor visa is required, which is generally valid for 3 months, only one entry and exit is valid, and the permitted holder stays in Papua New Guinea for 60 days and is not allowed to be employed;
Transportation: There is no direct flight from Beijing-Maldsby Port, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and the connecting flight takes at least 13 hours;
Languages: English, Papua Pichin;
Features: Dive to eastern region Eastern fields.
Micronesia, Federated States of
Yapp culture. Image source/ Official website of the Jacobs Tourism Department, Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia is a western Pacific island nation belonging to the Caroline Islands, also home to more than 600 islands, of which Bonape is the largest and its capital, Palikir, is located on the island. With a population of only a few hundred thousand people, the island is divided into four states: Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Kosley. Ancient Pacific culture, traditional lifestyles and exquisite handicrafts underpin its tourism development, with local festivals held in March, June and November. In terms of accommodation, there are already relatively complete resorts, hostels and apartments in the local area.
Visa: Chinese citizens can enter the Federated States of Micronesia for 30 days without an entry permit, provided that they provide a return ticket or a ticket to their next destination. It should be noted that entering and exiting the Federated States of Micronesia is usually required to transit through Guam, usa, and a guam transit visa should be obtained in advance;
Transportation: There is no direct flight between Beijing and Bonape, and the transit flight needs to be at least 15 hours;
Language: English;
Highlights: Experience deep-sea fishing in Yap.
Samoa
Sua Trench. Image source/ Samoa Tourism Board official website
Samoa is also a South Pacific island country with unparalleled sea views, located about the middle of Hawaii and New Zealand, the capital of Apia, with a population of about 200,000 people. In addition to the beautiful natural landscape, Samoa also retains the traditional lifestyle of 3,000 years and the villages of hundreds of years ago, beautiful and simple, the pace of life is slow, known as the "pearl" and "paradise on earth" in the South Pacific region, the tourism basic service is relatively perfect, there are five-star, four-star and other types of hotels.
Visa: visa-free for a period of 60 days;
Transportation: There are no direct flights between Beijing and Apia, and the transit flight takes more than 19 hours;
Language: English Samoan;
Features: Sua heart-shaped trench diving.
Vanuatu
The lava spewed by Mount Isur is mostly straight up and down, rarely spilling obliquely, and generally does not hurt tourists, so it is known as the world's "closest active volcano". Image credit/Visual China
The Republic of Vanuatu is a South Pacific archipelago located between Hawaii and Australia and consists of more than 80 islands (68 inhabited). In addition to the ocean scenery, Tana Island, the southern island of Vanuatu, has Volcano Isur, one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world, as well as ethnic villages that live a primitive life, and the only underwater post office in the world in the capital Port Vila.
Visa: visa-free for a stay of 30 days;
Transportation: There is no direct flight between Beijing and Port Vila, and the transit flight takes more than 19 hours;
Languages: English, French and Bislama;
Features: Postcards mailed by underwater post office.
Cook Islands
Aerial view of rarotonga. Image credit/Visual China
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, between French Polynesia and Fiji, the Cook Islands consist of 15 islands. Although little is known, the scenery is not inferior to tahiti, which sits in the same sea. In addition to basking in the sun, watching the scenery, and exercising outdoors, you can also participate in various local folk activities, known as "one of the slowest-paced islands in the world", and was also selected as the most beautiful island in the world by Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet. Rarotonga is the most populous island in the Cook Islands, known as the "Orchard of the South Pacific", and the capital Avarua is also located on this island.
Visa: stay of no more than 31 days, visa-free entry;
Transportation: There is no direct flight between Beijing and Avarua, and the transit flight takes more than 20 hours;
Travel time: spring and autumn is suitable;
Languages: Cook Islands Maori, English;
Highlights: Visit and snorkel in the lagoon of the outlying island of Aitutaki.
Tonga
Scenery of the Tonga coast. Image credit/Visual China
The Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation of 172 islands of varying sizes located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the first country in the world to start a new day. Located 650 km west of Fiji and 1770 km southwest of New Zealand, Tongatapu Island is the largest of the islands and is home to the capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa. Tonga is also the oldest kingdom among the Pacific island nations, with many rare and rare heat-driven plants, atolls and lagoons of various shapes, volcanic lakes and Kao Volcano, which rivals Mount Fuji in Japan.
Visa: visa-free, 30 days stay;
Transportation: No direct flight between Beijing and Nuku'alofa, with a transit flight of more than 18 hours;
Travel time: May to August recommended;
Languages: English, Tongan;
Highlights: Visit the unique wonders of the South Pacific, the Tidal Caves of Tongatapu Island.
Niue
Niue scenery. Image source/ Official website of the Niue Tourism Board
Niue is an island nation located in the south-central Pacific Ocean, 2400 km north of New Zealand, with Tonga to the west, Samoa to the north and the neighboring Cook Islands to the east. Niue is an oval island surrounded by coral reefs covering an area of 260 square kilometres, with Alofi as its capital and a permanent population of 1,618 in 2017. Unlike other islands, Niue Sea has numerous karst cave formations and coral beaches. Niue is poor in natural resources, with its main industries being agriculture, tourism and fishing, and its unpolluted environment and diving conditions are very attractive to visitors.
Visa: Visa-free entry for a stay of not more than 30 days;
Transportation: There is no direct flight between Beijing and Alofi, and the transit flight takes more than 22 hours;
Languages: Niue and English;
Highlights: Visit the Matapa chasm Cave.
Fiji
Dive in Fiji to see a variety of fish or feed sharks. Image credit: Fiji Tourism Authority website
Fiji is better known than other South Pacific countries and is known as one of the "Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations in the World". Spanning the eastern and western hemispheres, Fiji is made up of a combination of 332 islands, of which 106 are inhabited, while the two main islands of Viti and Vanua account for 87% of the country's population. Sparkling blue seas, white sand coconut groves, and colorful underwater worlds make up the main features of Fiji's attractions. In particular, the variety of corals and the variety of tropical fish are dazzling, and many tourists come here for one purpose is to dive.
Visa: stay for no more than 30 days, visa exemption;
Transportation: There are direct flights to Fiji from Hong Kong, and it takes more than 15 hours for Beijing-Hong Kong-Fiji;
Languages: Fijian and English;
Highlights: Snorkel on Mana Island, Fiji.
In addition to Fiji, other Pacific island countries are still very niche destinations, especially most countries have not yet opened direct routes to China, and tourism products are still relatively small. Based on Pacific island tourism, Caissa Travel recently announced the launch of the "53 Days Around the World - South Pacific Dream Journey" cruise products, passing through 15 countries/regions such as Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, French New Caledonia, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Micronesia, American Saipan, and Shanghai and Hong Kong in China, connecting the 8 Pacific island countries introduced this time. It's worth a try for travelers interested in the South Pacific Island nation.
Beijing News reporter Wang Shengnan proofread Fan Jinchun