Almost 70% Brits want to visit China, says Air China poll

The survey was conducted by Air China in which two thousand British citizens participated. Given a choice between many tourist destinations in the Far East like South Korea, Bali, Singapore and Japan, 68% of the sample set chose to visit attractions in China.

The Great Wall

The survey also indicated that the British are mostly attracted to the Great Wall of China and have the landmark on their bucket lists. The Chinese government is currently reclaiming lost sections of the Great Wall that are far off from the main touristy segment near Beijing. The Wall and its foundations are being remade by using drone technology for the tourists to come marvel at the man-made wonder. The survey, however, does also indicate that many Britons wrongly believe that the wall can be seen from space.

Soldiers to protect the King in the Afterlife

The poll also suggested that British tourists dream of visiting Xi’an to see the Terracotta Army. The rows upon rows of the terracotta soldiers, each one unique in facial features and design, attract millions of tourists each year from around the globe. There are up to 8000 soldiers, 52 horse and 130 chariots buried in the mound at Xi’an, guarding the remains of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The Necropolis is so vast that the central tomb of the Emperor, who ruled over Central China almost 2200 years ago, has yet to be excavated and opened for research.

Forbidden City

Needless to say, Beijing’s Forbidden City was on top of the list of tourist destinations the British would want to experience in China. The Forbidden City was part of the capital where the Chinese Emperor used to reside. Commoners were not allowed to enter the domain of the palace complex, and hence it was “forbidden”. The Chinese government has been reconstructing the palace to its former glory for decades now. The red and gold halls of the palace, that once were only inhabited by Emperors, Queens and their trusty eunuchs are now decked with exhibits of rare Chinese historical relics and treasures. About 51% of the British audience wished of visiting the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the Palace.

Pandas, Millennium Eggs and Chicken Feet

The survey further revealed that 35% Britons of the sample set would not refuse to eat the thousand-year-old eggs. These eggs are preserved by coating them with a clay, salt, quicklime and rice hull mixture. Over time the chemicals seep into the egg breaking down the tasteless proteins and making the contents inside grey-green with a distinct odour. The eggs are an acquired taste and so are chicken feet, but according to the research, 41% of the British would not mind munching on the cartilage of the chicken toes. A significant minority of the group also wanted to head to Chengdu to visit the cute panda population in the world-famous panda reserve of the city.

This survey concludes that there is a significant appreciation of the Chinese culture in Britain, and there is a growing demand and a desire in the UK to take a tour of China. The survey also declares that even though nine out of ten British citizens have not visited China yet, people in the UK had a keen interest in educating themselves about Chinese culture and chose to put the ultimate Asian destination on their bucket list.