A popular celebrity travel show's fifth season dives deeper, exploring countries and cultures off the beaten path for most Chinese viewers, Xing Wen reports.

The fifth season of the travel reality show Divas Hit the Road, which chronicles a 23-day trip by seven Chinese celebrities across Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Iceland, wrapped up recently, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.

The new season, boasting a stellar 8.9 out of 10 rating on the review site Douban, has become the most acclaimed season of the long-running reality show. It has racked up more than 4 billion views on the video-sharing platform Mango TV, according to the box-office tracker Maoyan.

The season was produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative last year in an effort to enhance cultural exchange between China and the three countries involved in the BRI. The thematic focus stood out as a highlight, providing viewers with an insightful perspective into the landscapes and traditions of the countries visited.

For instance, before embarking on their journey to Saudi Arabia, participants were given an opportunity to undergo a pre-trip course at the embassy of Saudi Arabia in China. During this session, cultural counselor Ahmed Al-Zahrani introduced them to the language and customs of Saudi Arabia. He also introduced some of the Sino-Saudi cooperation projects that are under the BRI framework, such as the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which is also known as the Mecca-Medina Railway.

Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, participants had the chance to ride the railway for themselves, and learn from the train crew about the impact high-speed rail travel has had on the lives of residents following its inauguration. One woman invited the group to visit her home, where the participants were able to enjoy homemade delicacies and exchange gifts.

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."

As the adage goes, "It's not where you go, it's who you travel with that counts", and the show's success can also be attributed to the chemistry among its seven celebrities.

Actresses Qin Hailu, Qin Lan, Xin Zhilei, Dilraba Dilmurat and Zhao Zhaoyi, and actors Wang Anyu and Hu Xianxu, created a group dynamic of inclusivity, humor and mutual support that connected with the audience.

During the trip, the participants were required to take turns organizing accommodation, meals, transportation, and travel itineraries on a limited budget. With seven individuals of different age groups who didn't initially know one another, conflicts and misunderstandings could easily have arisen in the face of the unfamiliar environments and uncertainties of travel.

"However, when these seven people encountered difficulties, they communicated efficiently, adopted a positive approach, and focused on solving problems together rather than blaming one another. Every time I watch this show, it feels like a boost of energy," says Li Tuzi, an avid viewer.

During the episode filmed in Hofn in Iceland, the group encountered a storm warning. To avoid it and finish the rest of their journey, they had to pack their bags during the night, leave early in the morning, and travel quickly to Reykjavik.

"Faced with this unexpected situation, everyone remained calm and considerate of each other. When they drove out of the storm that morning, the dawn was visible through the car windows, and showed a vast and boundless land. That moment truly moved me," Li says.

In the final episode, as the trip is about to conclude, 46-year-old Qin Hailu, the eldest member of the group, expressed her feelings: "This team gives me a sense of security, and makes me feel free. As an adult, feeling free is difficult. When I am at home, I have to be a wife, daughter and mother. At work, I have to be an actress, a boss, a director, and sometimes a scriptwriter. However, during this trip, everyone allowed me to be myself. It wasn't easy for me to let down my defenses and open up, but this time, I did it. I cherish this experience and the bonds I've made with everyone."