Israel gearing up to receive more Chinese tourists

Israel draws Chinese visitors who are interested in seeing sites related to Christianity, in addition to the picturesque views and cultural features. [Photo provided to China Daily]

China and Israel recently announced that mutual 10-year multiple-entry visas would be issued to their citizens in the future for travel related to business and tourism.

Among a raft of cooperation agreements signed during talks in Jerusalem between Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March, the new visa arrangement makes China the first country with which Israel has entered into such an understanding.

Efrat Perri, a spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in Beijing, says it could take up to a few months before Chinese can apply for the long-term visas.

A timeline for implemention of the agreement has yet to announced.

Even so, for some like 30-year-old Li Wenqi, the move is significant.

"Israel's long history and picturesque views make for more than just one visit," Li, who works for a Shanghai-based web company, tells China Daily over the phone.

He first visited Israel in 2014, taking a 10-day tour that cost nearly 20,000 yuan ($3,086), with a trip to Jordan thrown in. Traveling in a group, he and other Chinese were interested in seeing sites related to Christianity.