Destination desolation

South Korea has emerged as Chinese tourists' No 1 international destination as Southeast Asian visits decline, with Japan as a close second, following a 2012 dip due to sour relations.

China accounts for about 40 percent of Korea's inbound tourists, compared to 23 percent two years ago, Hong Kong Polytechnic University's tourism professor Brian King says.

"The relativities are important," King says.

"The air-seat capacity from China into Northeast Asia, including Macao, Taiwan and Hong Kong, is about three times the size of its equivalent into Southeast Asia. Korea is probably the main beneficiary and has been experiencing consistently high growth out of China."

Institute for Tourism Studies researcher Jae Yeon Choe says: "While preferences for easiness of visa procedures and air service expansion - such as nonstop flights - are factors, Korea's and Japan's pop, fashion and food culture continue to attract Chinese visitors."

IT developer Cheng Wei says his parents wouldn't "let" him visit Vietnam over the National Day holidays.

But he enjoyed Korea two weeks before on his first international trip.

"Korea is nearer than Vietnam," the Beijinger says.

"Flights are cheaper, and it's more developed."