Several Zhangjiajie government staff visited tourists stranded and learned about their situations. (The photo was provided by the interviewee.) 

“The Chinese government and the Chinese people are working hard to fight against the virus. I believe the epidemic will be under control soon, and we can visit the picturesque sceneries around China then,” said Anna, a 33-year-old Russian lady who is stranded in Zhangjiajie due to the epidemic.

Anna lives and works in Dalian, Liaoning Province. She flew from Beijing to Zhangjiajie for the first time at the end of July, to appreciate the picturesque sceneries here. However, the epidemic resurged before she started her sightseeing tour. She was sadly stranded in a homestay in Luoguta Neighborhood, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie.   

Anna (The photo was provided by the interviewee.) 

The local epidemic prevention and control authority requires that all tourists stranded should conduct several rounds of nucleic acid tests, and cannot leave until the related department approves of such a thing.

This sudden epidemic tragically messed up Anna’s traveling plan. But, she was comforted soon by the local government’s efficient and meticulous epidemic prevention measures, as well as warm care from the homestay owner. 

“Though we suffer from losses due to the epidemic, we will still help the tourists stranded as much as we can, to show hospitality and warmth of the Zhangjiajie people,” said Long Wu, owner of the homestay. Besides Anna, a German and four Taiyuan tourists are also stranded in his homestay.

The homestay is located on a hillside, without road access to the outside, nor residents around. It has open and wide spaces for stranded tourists to enjoy walking and free swimming. “We provide three meals a day, free of charge, and offer free coffee for the consideration of foreign tourists’ living habits,” Long said. The homestay also prepared chicken breasts, stir-fried beef and pork, Kung Pao Chicken, and many other dishes, vegetables, and fruits, he added.

“Zhangjiajie people are so nice. We are now a big family. The homestay owner taught us a lot of epidemic prevention knowledge, informed us of information and measures enacted by the government, and provided us with delicious food,” said Anna. She supports the quarantine measures for tourists and understands that the government is taking orderly efforts in epidemic prevention and control. She is willing to collaborate with the local government in all epidemic prevention measures.

The Zhangjiajie government has organized free door-door nucleic acid tests for the tourists stranded, and shortened their testing periods, down to the hour. Long said that all tourists stranded in his homestay had completed three rounds of tests, and all tested negative. The district government has attached great importance to and concern to the tourists stranded. The working staff often called them to learn about their living and psychological situations. And we help take temperatures and disinfect their rooms every day, he added.

Anna has been living in China for two years. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020, she had undergone home quarantine for more than half a year. “A home quarantine is necessary when the epidemic breaks out. In that period, my Chinese colleagues and friends cared about me very much which made me feel warm,” she said. This time, she can not only watch TV in her room but also work via the internet and video.

“Everyone should be aware of that, this is a necessary measure to curb the virus spread. We can win the virus. I’ve seen many prevention measures in different countries, and China’s efforts have been approved quite effective. The measures are implemented strictly, to safeguard the people. I feel safe in China”, Anna said. She shared with her family and friends the Chinese experiences in epidemic prevention, such as quarantine, wearing masks, and avoiding going to public venues. “Getting vaccinated is also important,” she said. 

 
Jurgen, a German working in China, enjoys his meal at the homestay. (The photo was provided by the interviewee.) 

Jurgen from Germany has been working in Shanghai for years. He was enchanted by the spectacular natural landscapes in Zhangjiajie and spent his vacation here. When he was about to leave, he was stranded due to the epidemic. However, he stayed in the homestay calmly, and enjoyed coffee and reading every day.

“People were scared when the epidemic broke out in China last year. Thanks to the Chinese Government’s effective and timely measures, the epidemic was curbed quickly. I have confidence that China can also defeat the virus this time,” he said.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the Zhangjiajie authority has relocated all tourists stranded in the downtown area to designated hotels and provided them with considerate services and psychological counseling. On August 5, Anna, Jurgen, and the other four Taiyuan tourists were accommodated in designated hotels free of charge.

“Wherever I am in China, it is like a home from home. The Chinese people are nice and friendly. After the epidemic ends, I will tour Zhangjiajie again for its beautiful scenery and nice people,” Anna said.

 
This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews