Capital attraction

Visitors gather for performances at Wolf Trap National Park in Virginia.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"We have a larger share of students traveling from China than other markets, which are primarily European countries," Gaffney says.

"Students visit universities or take English-language courses, and that influences the longer stays in the region of Chinese visitors."

Most Chinese travelers to the area initially joined group tours. They'd stay a night or two as part of an East Coast package.

That segment continues to thrive, but a growing number of individual travelers are also arriving. They often rent cars to explore such destinations as the countryside and beaches.

Many make the two-hour drive from DC to Virginia - the country's fifth-largest wine producer with over 280 wineries.

It also hosts over 160 craft-beer breweries, and more will open this year.

Visitors to the Richmond region collect stamps at the breweries they visit and win a limited-edition gift at the fifth brewery.

Virginia is also the East Coast's oyster capital.