Africa's popularity as an international tourist destination is booming thanks to its prospering economy and increased stability. A recent report found Chinese tourists are joining the trend.

Xinhua News Agency on Monday reported the number of Chinese tourists in Africa has grown rapidly since the country granted Egypt tourist destination status in 2002. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Ministry says 110,000 Chinese tourists visited Africa in 2005, doubling the figure for 2004.

Nine more African countries were granted tourist destination status at the China-Africa Summit held in the capital city of Beijing in early November. Today, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe are the most popular of the twenty-six African countries open to Chinese tourists. The two countries reputed as the "Hawaii of Africa", Seychelles and Mauritius, rank second highest and are enjoying increasing favor with Chinese travelers.

Misunderstandings have led Chinese people to equate Africa with drought, conflict, infectious disease and poverty in the past but individual travelers are now helping to reveal the true face of this remote and mysterious continent.

Famous Chinese photographer Luo Hong is one of the people who has actively worked to improve Africa's image in the eyes of the Chinese public. He has visited Africa a dozen times in the past 5 years and just concluded an exhibition in Beijing depicting true stories from the beautiful land.

"Africa is a paradise for wide lives," Luo Hong said. "The landscapes, animals and human beings there create a harmonious and beautiful picture."

(CRI December 12, 2006)