Hello and Honey pose for photos with their owners, a Swiss couple on the roof terrace of the Peace Hotel in Shanghai on September 15, 2017.

Two Saint Bernard dogs "Hello" and "Honey" came all the way from Switzerland recently to meet Chinese people and promote the beauty of their homeland. They spent a wonderful weekend with local citizens here in Shanghai after the Beijing stop.

The tour came true thanks to the Switzerland China Year of Tourism, which was launched by Chinese and Swiss presidents in Davos during the World Economic Forum in January 2017.

As the ambassadors of the Switzerland China Year of Tourism, the cuties popularize the country's unspoiled mountainous scenery and varied outdoor activities.

Brother Hello and Sister Honey

Saint Bernard is Switzerland’s national dog. They are big in size but gentle and friendly in nature, especially to children. They were used for rescue missions in the Alps region. The hard liquor in the small barrel around the neck was offered to help trapped people keep warm in the freezing weather.

Hello weighs 70 kg and Honey is 58 kg. They have traveled to many parts of the world and won a lot of awards. During their stay in Shanghai, the dogs interacted with local people at two parks and a shopping mall on September 16 and 17, winning high popularity.

"It is raining outside, but we have handmade hood."

Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai Alexander Hoffet stated at the press conference that China has become the fourth largest source of tourists to Switzerland and the current figure shows that the trend is likely to continue in the future.

"Panda has been well-known in Switzerland for many years as the national animal of China and the emblem of the World Wildlife Fund", said the Consul General. "I hope that as a result of the tour Saint Bernard dog will be as well-known in China as panda in Switzerland."

Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai Alexander Hoffet poses for photos with the Saint Bernard dogs and their owners.

Saint Bernard dog is also the ambassador of Switzerland Tourism which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year with the theme of "Back to Nature". Promotion Manager China of Switzerland Tourism Batiste Pilet gave a presentation at the event.

Moreover, the dogs also attended the World Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo 2017 as the special guests. Switzerland was the major honored guest country of the expo which took place from Sept. 7 to 10 in Beijing.

"We are waiting for you in Lausanne in the upcoming China's National Day holidays."

Photos & story by Wang Jiaye