Sample a slice of America

Guam offers exciting water activities and allows visitors to go snorkeling and explore more than 400 different types of coral, and 700 different types of fish. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It is unlikely that a lot of Chinese know that Guam is the closest you can get to the United States from China. The island in the western Pacific is less than five hours flying time from the mainland and has a lot to offer when it comes to tourism.

For instance, tourists can take airplane rides over the sea, drive sports cars, watch dolphins play, go snorkeling or scuba diving to explore Guam's underwater world, which features more than 400 types of coral, and 700 types of fish.

"The water parks and the Under Water World are favorites with children and young people," says Pilar Laguana, the global marketing director at the Guam Visitors Bureau.

Another highlight of Guam is duty-free shopping where visitors can take Guam's local Lam Lam bus (trolley) from one shopping station to the next.

"In Guam, sales staff do not hassle you when you are shopping," says Laguana.

Guam's annual shopping festival covers New Year and the Chinese Spring Festival holidays.

As for other attractions, Guam's Chamorro culture offers many unique tastes and flavors.

Among them is red rice, which is made from the seeds of the Achote (Annatto) tree.

Guam is also a great place for romance. There are about 10,000 weddings hosted in Guam each year.

Li Mengran, the public relations manager of Beijing Utour International Travel Service Co, a major outbound-travel operator in China, says: "Most of our guests are young people who go there to enjoy their honeymoons or vacations."

Utour has developed products for Guam since 2011, and most trips last 5-6 days.

Recent celebrity weddings on Guam have boosted the island's profile, says Li.