There is no need to convince anyone about the qualities of Greece as a tourist destination. Glorious past and an ancient culture in combination with the beautiful islands and almost eternal summer are like a magnet for every tourist. And although the present is far not as glorious as the past, the hope for better days at times managed to wipe the dust off the "low-spirited" charm of Greece and... its capital. With hopes and expectations to meet this charm tourists come from all around the world, including from China.

Whether this is true because of the interest of China to help Greece to emerge from the economic crisis or simply by chance, the flow of tourists from China lately has apparently intensified. It makes impression that Athens is visited a lot especially by Chinese youths. They are walking in groups around the center and looking at the goods in almost every shop. We can easily find them in the luxury shops of Ermou str. on Syntagma Square and the commercial Hondos Center at Omonia Square. "They come in groups and buy a lot of things. They choose mainly branded goods. In the last month we really have many clients from China" - says the saleswoman in one of the shoe shops of Hondos Center.

Besides organized groups also couples with exotic beauty adorn the Athenian streets recently. Thirsty for cultural life, which the Greek capital offers, some of them even opened the doors of the Exhibition Centre Technopolis. Athens has become a romantic destination ...

What really makes the Chinese youth to visit the Greek capital lately? Here is what Xu Ke says, a 28-year-old boy from Beijing, wandering through Ermou street with a map in his hand in the warm October afternoon. "Greece is a very popular tourist destination not only at home but worldwide. There are many people in China who want to come here on a trip ... It is known that the climate is good and the population is friendly. The place is very beautiful, people are nice and I like them" - said Xu Ke. Xu added that in his country the crisis in Greece is mainly commented on the news, and no so much by than ordinary people. The willingness of various investors to help the Greek economy is also widely discussed. "But actually since I've been here I see that things are quite normal" - noted with astonishment Xu. As to what is of interest for each tourist, the prices, he said: "I was in France, Germany, Belgium and many other European countries. Compared with them it is not very expensive here. Prices in some cases are even lower than in Italy. Surely it is cheaper than in England or France."

And yet, the flavor of the strikes has not remained unnoticed by the boy. He had the bad luck to head for the Acropolis, on the day in which he was drowned in the tear gas. "When at the hotel reception they told me that there is a demonstration close to the Acropolis I was shocked" – he laughs. A visit to one of the most glorious places in the world he was able to make a day later.

And what he doesn’t like about Athens? Taxis. "Not all drivers speak good English and sometimes it is a little difficult to communicate with them. This is something that is much trouble for me" – concludes Xu and argues that everything else is fine.