Adeline Wong Wan Ying, a tourist from Malaysia, shared that during her visit to Shandong, she was consistently impressed by the richness of Qilu culture, the essence of Confucius and Mencius' birthplace, and the warm hospitality of the locals.

　　Tourists from Southeast Asia try a local food in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

　　“The reputation of 'Friendly Shandong' is not just a slogan but a genuine reflection of the welcoming atmosphere experienced,“ she said.

　　Since October 2024, nearly 10,000 tourists from Southeast Asia have visited Shandong, according to data from provincial authorities.

　　Guo Jiayi contributed to the story.