SARAJEVO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- From historic streets and religious landmarks to local neighborhoods and natural landscapes, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), is attracting a growing number of Chinese travelers seeking deeper cultural experiences rather than simply checking in at tourist sites.
During China's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Chinese photographer Chen Liwei traveled to BiH with a group of 10 photography enthusiasts on a 14-day tailored tour, capturing the country's diverse scenery and cultural heritage through their lenses.
"We had never visited the Balkans before, but we have long been fascinated by the region, partly due to classic Yugoslav films such as Walter Defends Sarajevo," Chen said.
The group, all photography lovers who had previously traveled to dozens of European countries, chose BiH for its rich history and unique cultural blend.
Rather than following a standard itinerary, they sought to experience local life and gain a deeper understanding of the Western Balkans, capturing through their lenses Sarajevo's old town streets, religious sites and everyday scenes of local residents.
"BiH has not only beautiful landscapes, but also warm and friendly people. Many locals greeted us with 'ni hao' when they saw us," Chen said.
The experience of Chen's group reflects a broader trend: customized and in-depth tours are becoming increasingly popular among Chinese visitors to BiH.
Zhao Yiming, a local tour guide, said demand for private and tailored Balkan tours has increased by more than 30 percent over the past two years.
"In the past, Chinese tourists mainly traveled in large groups with fixed schedules. Today, more travelers want trips designed around their interests, group size and preferred pace," Zhao said.
The shift has encouraged travel agencies to develop more diverse itineraries, including routes featuring historical sites, cultural experiences and less-visited destinations beyond traditional tourist attractions.
Tourism insiders said different generations of Chinese travelers have different interests. Many older visitors, influenced by films such as Walter Defends Sarajevo, are interested in locations connected with the movie and wartime history. Younger travelers tend to prefer city walks, cultural experiences and longer stays to experience local life.
Xiaoxin Xu, a representative of Hotel Grand Sarajevo, said the hotel's 20 rooms reserved for Chinese tourists were fully booked during the National Day holiday, while the restaurant received 200 to 400 Chinese visitors per day.
"September and October are traditionally the peak tourism season in BiH, and this year's National Day holiday saw strong demand from Chinese travelers," Xu said.
The growing popularity of tailored tours reflects closer people-to-people exchanges between China and BiH. With its historical heritage, diverse cultures and natural scenery, BiH is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Chinese travelers.
Chen said he planned to share his travel experiences through social platforms to introduce BiH to more Chinese audiences.
"I hope more people will come to BiH and experience this beautiful country for themselves," he said. ■
