CHINA BECOMING ASIA'S PREMIERE TOURIST DESTINATION

"Instead of Japan dominating Americans' itineraries, China suddenly emerged as Japan's rival in 2004. Each welcomed about 1 million Americans that year, and China is expected to soon take the lead. The United Nations World Tourism Organization predicts China will be the most-visited country in the world by 2020.

'Where Japan used to be the engine that drove Asia, today, China's the engine,' says Vincent Wolfington, chairman of the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council."

Apart from all the cultural and other attractions, such as far lower prices, the Chinese know the value of welcoming visitors, who don't get fingerprinted and photographed upon entry...

China tourist engine