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Mexico, a Country of History, Beauty

It is impossible to complete the sentence: “Mexico is…” with an accurate generality. As with China, there is far more to Mexico than one sees and hears in the news or at first glance, far more than can be captured in any one treatment.

Its geographical diversity, the Pacific Ocean on the West and the Gulf of Mexico on the east, its high mountains, lush rain forests and searing deserts, its history of foreign conquest, then liberation and revolution have resulted in the creation of a civilization that appeals to travellers from around the world. Pleasant surprises are found around nearly every bend of a mountain road or with a view from atop a mysterious ancient pyramid, likely a World Heritage List site, looming over a lost civilization. They are found in its unique, vibrant arts, both fine and folk, the latter with its fine leatherware, boots, saddles, hats, puppets, silverware, and in its rodeos and bullfights (corrida) and religious festivals.

Mexico’s continuing allure is proven by the fact that it is still a favourite haunt of expatriates from the United States and Canada and that at least 20 million “pure” tourists joined 10 million business/pleasure tourists in visiting Mexico in 2008, according to Eligio Serna, counsellor, Embassy of Mexico to China, who lives and works in Beijing. The Latin American country is a favoured destination for ships of the luxury cruise industry as well.

Sportsmen love it for its golf, deep-sea fishing, snorkel and scuba diving and the many other sports-recreational activities available at more than 460 different locations. Others are content to loll on a pristine beach between trips to luxury bars and restaurants or local cantinas and markets.

And now, Chinese tourists can expect a warm, open-armed welcome in Mexico, whether travelling in a group specially designed for them or as individuals.

Chinese travel to Mexico has increased since Mexico won “Approved Destination Status” from China on August 16, 2004, and especially since a Memorandum of Understanding on the Facilitation of Group Travel by Chinese Tourists to Mexico was agreed in Mexico City on January 24, 2005, followed by an Air Transport Agreement approved by Mexico and China on July 28, 2005.

Chinese have responded: 19,971 travellers visited Mexico in 2008; already in 2009, Mexico has received 11,545 more despite a general downturn in international tourism.

In April 2009, the visa application process for Chinese travellers was simplified following an April 2 announcement by Mexico’s Ambassador to China Jorge Guajardo during a “Cancun, Gateway to Mexico and the Mayan World” seminar in Beijing that Chinese tour operators could apply for visas for groups smaller than 10, with direct flights to Mexico from Shanghai. Individual tourists are also welcome.

But then the world travel industry in general was dealt a heavy blow with a deadly outbreak of the A-H1N1 virus in April 2009 in Veracruz, on the east coast of Mexico that quickly spread worldwide, affecting tourism almost everywhere, including Beijing. Mexico was already reeling from bad publicity resulting from the narcotics trade along its border with the United States.

Serna said, “We blew the whistle on these things, and we have been very transparent about them.” He said Mexico respected China’s response to the A-H1N1 threat, including a temporary suspension of flights to Mexico, as Chinese authorities grappled with the outbreak.

Safety is a major concern of Chinese mainland travellers, and Serna said Mexican tourism authorities are well aware of this.

“We have created special packages for Chinese travellers, and special people have been trained to receive Chinese visitors. For instance, we’ve been teaching them about the Chinese culture. In cooperation with Chinese tour operators, special menu items catering to Chinese tastes, such as serving tea with meals, have been created for visitors in places where Chinese are likely to go.

“Most importantly, we have created a special security strategy for visitors to these special places. I have personally accompanied more than 100 Chinese tourists to Mexico; none have reported any problems. As when visiting any country, tourists can easily avoid trouble by staying away from people involved in illegal activities, especially the drug culture.”

Serna said Chinese tourists tend to focus on one or more of four regions in Mexico for travel. All offer fantastic and diverse travel experiences for the adventurous or soothing conveniences for resort lovers.

The rain forest areas of Yucatan: Here, the city of Merida is a good place to begin a tour of the ancient Mayan civilization. Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo (“El Mozo”), the city was built atop the Mayan city of Tho. It’s remoteness from the rest of Mexico allowed Merida to develop with special characteristics of its own, and because of its wealth, it had streetlights and trams even before Mexico City.

From Merida, people can travel to inland sites such as the Chichen Itza Pyramid, about 120 kilometres east of Merida or Uxmal, 80 kilometres south of Merida to get a taste of Mayan magnificence and history. If relaxing is your cup of tea, book a room at a real hacienda in rural Merida. Also, in nearby Quintana Roo are the famed Cozumel and Cancun resorts, which also have nearby inland attractions, in addition to sandy beaches, clear waters and some of the best resorts in the world.

Mexico City: The name says it all: Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and is equipped very similarly with Beijing with abundant World Heritage List sites (in fact, the whole downtown area), famous art and historical museums, a vibrant nightlife. See the works of master artists such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco at the National Palace of Fine Arts or cathedrals dating as far back as 1573.

See also Teotihuacan, a magnificent ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage List site located 45 kilometres northeast of Mexico City, steeped in mystery, which dates to at least 500 BC, but which was deserted when the Aztecs arrived there in AD 900. Its Pyramids of the Sun and Moon are fabulous.

West Coast of Mexico: This includes the inland City of Guadalajara. Some of the most famous cities in Mexican tourism are found in this area, beginning with Acapulco in the State of Guerrero, small cities such as San Blas, Los Mochis, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa and Zihutanejo. Again, the cultural and recreational mix is rich and colourful with activities ranging from beachside golf to skin and scuba diving, offshore sport fishing, surfing, hiking, nature tourism and more.

The State of Jalisco is famous for not so much for the City of Tequila, about 65 kilometres northwest of Guadalajara, but for the agave-based spirit by the same name made from the blue agave plant. Real tequila may only be made in the State of Jalisco or in four other designated areas of the country.

Baja California: The Baja is famed for its sport fishing and resort life, but the Gulf of California east of Los Cabos is a famed sanctuary for whales that may be viewed by tourists. Across the Gulf lies Mazatlan on the Mexican mainland.

Serna said tourists to Mexico in 2010 may want to be aware that several special occasions will be observed, including celebrations of 200 years of Mexican independence and 100 years since the Mexican revolution. He said the Mexican Tourism Board will also have a display of at least 4,000 square metres at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 that Chinese tourists can visit and get more information about travel in Mexico.

In the meantime, more information is available at: http://www.visitmexico.net.cn (Chinese) or http://www.visitmexico.com in English, French, Spanish and other foreign languages. Or, contact the Embassy of Mexico in Beijing at +86 10 6532 2326 for brochures or visa information or see your local tour operator offering trips to Mexico.

畅游魅力国度墨西哥

文/邓素娟

魅力之国

墨西哥是一个难以用言语描述的地方。对于绝大多数的中国人来说，真正的墨西哥比想象中更加迷人：复杂多样的地形、浩瀚的太平洋、深邃的墨西哥湾、绵延的山脉、茂密的热带雨林、炙热的沙漠、风云变幻的历史⋯⋯独特的文化造就了墨西哥这座旅游胜地，吸引着世界各地的游客慕名前来。无论是漫步在山间小路还是站在高塔上俯瞰大地，都会令游客遐想联翩；无论是欣赏独特而绚丽的民间艺术还是观看扣人心弦的骑术表演、斗牛比赛、宗教节庆活动，都会令游客赞叹不已。

据墨西哥驻华大使馆旅游参赞艾里基奥·塞纳介绍，墨西哥是备受世界游客青睐的旅游胜地，2008年全年接待了大约3000万名境外游客到此观光游览。另外，墨西哥还是世界豪华游轮之旅的目的地。而包括高尔夫球场、深海垂钓、潜水等在内的460余个娱乐项目更可以令游客们玩个痛快。此外，游客还可以在当地充满现代气息的酒吧、酒店、小市场中感受墨西哥的别样风情，在纯净的沙滩上享受惬意的休闲时光。

诚邀中国游客

墨西哥始终如一的向中国游客热情地敞开大门：2004年，墨西哥成为“中国公民自费出境旅游目的地”；2005年，中国与墨西哥两国政府在墨西哥城签署了《关于中国旅游团队赴墨西哥旅游实施方案谅解备忘录》。同年，中国与墨西哥两国政府达成空运协议。中国游客不论是跟随旅行团还是独自前往墨西哥，都会受到当地人们的欢迎。到墨西哥旅游的中国游客数量也不断呈现增长态势：2008年的游客数量为19971人，即使在全球旅游业低迷的2009年，赴墨西哥旅游的中国游客数量依然比2008年增加了11545人，达到21516人。

2009年4月，墨西哥驻华大使豪尔赫·瓜哈尔多在名为“坎昆——通向墨西哥及玛雅世界的大门”的研讨会上发表声明，宣布中国旅游中介机构可以为10人以下的旅行团申请签证；中国游客可以从上海直飞墨西哥。与此同时，中国游客赴墨西哥旅游的签证申请程序也在日益简化。

对于游客普遍关注的旅游安全问题，塞纳表示，墨西哥旅游部门非常重视保护国内外游客的安全，为中国游客制定了专门的旅游方案，培训了很多专为中国游客服务的工作人员，推出了符合中国饮食习惯的餐饮等。尽最大的力量使到此的游客没有“后顾之忧”。

热门旅游区域

尤卡坦半岛：梅里达是玛雅文化与现代文明的完美融合，充满玛雅文化特色的建筑、精致的手工艺品、欢快的歌舞、独特的美食等为游人带来非凡的体验。坎昆是通向玛雅文化及自然景观的大门，拥有众多的玛雅古城、地下河、岩洞、天然井及充满生机的热带雨林。奇琴伊察古城遗址位于坎昆以西约200公里处，城内有玛雅文化中期和后期建筑物数百座，被列入了《世界文化遗产名录》。坎昆还为游客们提供了潜水、捕鱼、高尔夫及Spa等多种娱乐休闲项目。

● 墨西哥城：墨西哥城是墨西哥的首都，1325年由墨西卡人创建，城内拥有数量众多的世界文化遗产以及酒店、咖啡厅、餐厅、珠宝店、博物馆、画廊和表演中心等，为游客带来众多精彩体验。特奥蒂瓦坎古城位于墨西哥城东北部约45公里处，1987年被列入《世界文化遗产名录》。太阳金字塔和月亮金字塔是特奥蒂瓦坎古城遗址的主要组成部分，墨西哥人骄傲地将它们与埃及的金字塔相比。人们常说，到中国不去长城就等于没到过中国。同样，如果到墨西哥不去看一看这两座金字塔，就等于没去过墨西哥。

   墨西哥西海岸：建于1531年的瓜达拉哈拉是墨西哥哈利斯科州的州府，也是墨西哥第二大城市，具有浓郁的文化气息，是许多传统手工艺品的产地。游客们可以在这里体验海滨高尔夫、潜水、近海游钓、冲浪、徒步旅行等丰富多彩的休闲活动。特奇拉市位于瓜达拉哈拉西北部约65公里处，是龙舌兰酒的主要产地。龙舌兰酒的度数比较高，喝起来会有一种香甜、微辣的感觉，爱喝酒的朋友不妨试一试。

特别提示

2010年是体验墨西哥风情的好时机，墨西哥将举行包括独立200周年纪念以及墨西哥革命胜利100周年纪念等在内的盛大庆祝活动。

墨西哥旅游局将于2010年上海世界博览会期间设置展览面积不小于4000平方米的展区，届时广大中国游客可以在此感受墨西哥的魅力。

欲了解更多墨西哥旅游的相关信息，请登录

http://www.visitmexico.net.cn或http://www.visitmexico.com或致电墨西哥驻华大使馆（+86 10 6532 2326）。

2010 Artistic and Cultural Events

2010年艺术和文化活动

Films Show 电影展

Movies from the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema 展映墨西哥20世纪40至50年代的影片

Time: 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, February to April2—4月，每周三晚19:30

Venue: Instituto Cervantes (A1 Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District, Beijing)

北京市朝阳区工体南路甲1号

Exhibition of Tina Modotti’s Photographic Work   Tina Modotti 摄影展

Time: First half of March 3月初

Venue: Instituto Cervantes (A1 Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District, Beijing)

北京市朝阳区工体南路甲1号

Performance of Carlos Prieto, World famous Mexican Cellist and Composer  

世界著名大提琴演奏家和作曲家Carlos Prieto演出

Time: April 4月

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

北京市西城区西长安街2号（中国国家大剧院）

Guitar Orchestra of the University of Veracruz

Veracruz大学吉他乐团演出

Time: May 5月

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

北京市西城区西长安街2号（中国国家大剧院）