December 21, 2013

Chinese tourists in Thailand – in pictures

Last year the Chinese spent more on holidays than anyone else and are changing the face of tourism. Photographer Nana Chen joined the fun-seekers at their favourite destination in ThailandRead Abigail Haworth on China’s tourism explosion here

A Chinese tourist poses with two ladyboys — A Chinese tourist poses with two ladyboys Photograph: Nana Chen/The Observer

Chinese on tour: Two sets of newlyweds — Two sets of newlyweds, on a week-long honeymoon tour, jump for joy on Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn, Thailand, known locally as Chinese beach Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: A woman is lifted by two elephants — A tourist is lifted by two elephants at Nang Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya, one of the most frequented attractions in the city
Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer Photograph: NANA CHEN/Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Elephant show at the Nong Nooch — Tourists take photographs during the elephant show Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: A Chinese tourist poses with two ladyboys — After the elephant show, a tourist poses with two ladyboys Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: A young couple wait for a tiger cub to settle for a picture — A young couple wait for a tiger cub to settle before a picture can be taken at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Yu Meng Na gets a fish pedicure at Pattaya Park Tower — Yu Meng Na enjoys a fish pedicure at the Pattaya Park Tower while her friends ride on rollercoaster Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Chinese tourists pose with a mascot — Chinese tourists pose with a mascot at the Pattaya Floating Market Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Honeymooners pose for pictures on Tawaen Beach — Honeymooners pose for pictures on Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn, west of Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Taking a selfie at Sriracha zoo in Pattaya — A Chinese tourist takes a picture with a tiger at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, one of the most frequented attractions in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok — Tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Tourists escape the heat at the Pattaya Floating Market — A boy poses for a photograph taken by his father as the tourists shelter from the heat at the Pattaya Floating Market Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Tourists take turns posing with a guard by the exit to the Grand Palace — Tourists take turns posing with a guard at the Grand Palace, Bangkok Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Young tourists on their phones — There is a new generation of Chinese tourists: the young and fashionable. Many have seen the world through their television screens but are now experiencing it first hand. Pictured are two young women taking a break from the elephant show at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Tourists with ladyboys — A group of ladyboys pose with two Chinese tourists at the entrance of Tiffany's Show, a major tourist attraction in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese on tour: Chinese tourists rest under the pavilion — A group of Chinese tourists rest under the pavilion at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists: Another photo opportunity at Tawaen Beach — Another photo opportunity at Tawaen Beach Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

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