A long way

"Chile has been striving to promote the country as a destination among Chinese travelers in recent years," says Andreas Pierotic, minister counselor for economic and commercial affairs at the Chilean embassy in Beijing.

"We look forward to more exchanges in tourism and education."

Over 24,000 Chinese visited Chile last year, nearly twice as many as in 2015.

"Thanks to easier air access and visa policies, there are more Chinese visiting Latin American countries than before," he says.

Pierotic recalls stopovers lasted as long as a full day when he flew to Beijing in the early 1990s. There are now many flights with layovers lasting just a few hours. And there are more air connections among cities in Chile.

Chinese who have visas issued by the United States or Canada that are valid for six months or longer can visit Chile visa-free since July 2015. Other Latin American countries announced similar policies soon after.

"Chile boasts diverse tourism resources, ranging from the Andes Mountains to cultural heritage," Pierotic says.

"In the morning, you go skiing on snowcapped mountains. And in the afternoon, you can enjoy ocean views on a beach."