"Shandong has been enhancing travel infrastructure, offering diverse travel routes and ensuring top-notch services to make sure tourists can explore Shandong comfortably and completely," said Sun.

In recent years, Jinan has launched direct flights connecting the city with Bangkok and Singapore. The city has also significantly enhanced entry procedures, currency exchange services, and tax refund processes for inbound tourists, significantly improving the overall travel experience of entry processes, said Ren Guangfeng, vice-mayor of Jinan.

Adeline Wong Wan Ying, a tourist from Malaysia, shared that during her visit to Shandong, she was consistently impressed by the richness of Qilu culture, the essence of Confucius and Mencius' birthplace, and the warm hospitality of the locals.