President Xi Jinping is currently on a tour in Latin America. His last stop in Mexico is the country’s cultural crown jewel, Chichen Itza. The ancient Mayan site is one of Mexico’s most famous symbols and is a major draw for tourists. Mexico’s secretary of tourism has shared with us its significance to the country.
Visiting the state of Yucatan is a must for anyone who wants to experience the Mayan culture. The area is saturated with historic sites, most notably the mythical city of Chichen Itza.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered to be one of the most ingenious creations in the world, the ancient Mayan city has been internationally treasured and visited by millions of tourists for decades. The 2012 apocalypse prediction has made it an even more popular site which fuelled the country’s tourism industry.
Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz says choosing this landmark site as the last stop for President Xi Jinping’s visit shows how much they value the relationship between the two countries.
First built in 435 AD, the ancient city houses Mayan architectures of all ages. And the most renowned of them all is the Temple of Kukulkan. The enormous 9th century pyramid covers an area of over 3,000 square metres. Its four faces represent the four seasons. There are 364 steps on each of its four stairways. The ingenious design and precise scientific measurements showcase a profound wisdom that bewilders modern architects.
"It’s one of the wonders of the world...That’s one of the things we share with China," Ruiz said.
During President Xi Jinping’s visit, the two countries have signed a joint statement to strengthen their tourism cooperation. Claudia Ruiz says in the first quarter of 2013, Mexico has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of Chinese tourists from the previous year. China has therefore become one of its key tourism markets.
"We're working to strengthen our cooperation and attract tourists from China," Ruiz said.
Chichen Itza attracts 3.5 million visitors every year, with 15 percent of them coming from China. Mexico hopes President Xi Jinping's visit can allow more Chinese people to discover the country’s abundant tourist resources and create more opportunities for the two countries' cultural exchanges.