A moment in time: World at home

In the 1985 photo (above), foreigners visiting Xi'an, in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, are seen surrounded by locals as foreign faces were rare in the country back then. Whereas, in June 2014 (right), visitors from the United States, Canada and the Netherlands are clicked enjoying making snacks along with Chinese tourists in Central China's Hubei province.

The curiosity some Chinese, especially from less developed areas, had about foreign visitors earlier is diminishing, with frequent people-to-people exchanges and enhanced international trade.

More foreigners are now drawn to China by its rich culture and ample work opportunities.