Chinese tourists in Thailand - in pictures

Two sets of newlyweds, on a week-long honeymoon tour, jump for joy on Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn, Thailand, known locally as Chinese beach Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A tourist is lifted by two elephants at Nang Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya, one of the most frequented attractions in the city
Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Tourists take photographs during the elephant show Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

After the elephant show, a tourist poses with two ladyboys Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A young couple wait for a tiger cub to settle before a picture can be taken at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Yu Meng Na enjoys a fish pedicure at the Pattaya Park Tower while her friends ride on rollercoaster Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Chinese tourists pose with a mascot at the Pattaya Floating Market Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Honeymooners pose for pictures on Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn, west of Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A Chinese tourist takes a picture with a tiger at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, one of the most frequented attractions in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A boy poses for a photograph taken by his father as the tourists shelter from the heat at the Pattaya Floating Market Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Tourists take turns posing with a guard at the Grand Palace, Bangkok Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

There is a new generation of Chinese tourists: the young and fashionable. Many have seen the world through their television screens but are now experiencing it first hand. Pictured are two young women taking a break from the elephant show at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A group of ladyboys pose with two Chinese tourists at the entrance of Tiffany's Show, a major tourist attraction in Pattaya Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

A group of Chinese tourists rest under the pavilion at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer

Another photo opportunity at Tawaen Beach Photograph: Nana Chen for the Observer