No fuss, just free mind, as divas hit the road

Since Sept 28, 2019, Saudi Arabia has been granting tourist visas to citizens from 49 countries and regions, including China.

"Saudi Arabia is relatively unfamiliar to the participants and many Chinese viewers. The more unfamiliar and unknown a place is, the more surprises it can bring," says Li Chao, the season's director.

"We hope the show serves as a window to the lives of people in different countries. Our route differed greatly from typical travel itineraries, and focused more on history, culture and in-depth exploration," he adds.

Following the airing of the episodes in Saudi Arabia, there was a remarkable 772 percent increase in searches for "Saudi" and "Saudi Arabia" on the online travel services provider Qunar.

In Croatia, the group attended a masquerade party on a cruise ship. Members, adorned in traditional Chinese attire, sang and danced alongside European tourists.

They performed Peking Opera, errenzhuan (a Northeastern Chinese song-and-dance duet), and kuaiban (a traditional Chinese talk show with rhythmic bamboo clappers). Notably, Uygur actress Dilraba Dilmurat wore traditional attire and performed a vibrant Uygur dance that engaged the enthusiastic audience.

"I felt very relaxed at that moment. I hoped to offer them a glimpse into the diverse ethnic cultures in China and help them know more about my home, Xinjiang (Uygur autonomous region)," she says.

Qin Hailu, who performed an excerpt of Peking Opera, adds: "In just one afternoon, the party turned strangers into friends, bridging cultural backgrounds. In the process, I was happy to feel that our hearts had come closer."