Tourism to China is not a big thing in Australia, and most people who visit are among the first of their friends to do so, so there is so much potential, he said.

China is affordable to get around, has very good food, safety, friendly people everywhere, and it can rival Western countries in terms of tourism attraction, the Australian added.

Twenty-three-year-old Fabian Kulhavy and his father Micheal, from Spain, also recently visited Zhangjiajie.

It's portrayed in Western media that it is not safe to travel to China; it's scary and one might get lost and never come back, Fabian Kulhavy said, so he wanted to see for himself. He found out it was just the opposite.

"I really like it and people are very nice. Even if they do not speak English, they will try to help you in any way they can," he said.

He said he will recommend his friends travel to China, because it's nothing like what the Western media says.

They are portraying China in a negative way because they are afraid that China has so many people, is a big country with advanced development, he said.

David Santiago Escriband, 35, also from Spain, said the infrastructure in Zhangjiajie, with cable cars and elevators, makes it accessible for everyone to enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

"Everything is impressive. Perhaps there are too many mountains," he joked.

People in Spain do not think too much about traveling to China, and they usually go to Japan, Thailand and the Philippines when they consider traveling to Asia, he said, adding that there are more people coming to China.

Visa-free travel helps a lot, according to Escriband. He has obtained a longer visa because he wants to spend more time in China, but 15 days is enough for most foreigners, and opens the country up to the rest of the world, he added.

Tom Foley and Sam Shand, both in their 30s and from the United Kingdom, also visited Zhangjiajie recently. They said it is one of the most beautiful places in the world and they really liked it.

"Once you have the necessary apps, it's easy. We'd recommend people to come here," Foley said.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn