70 percent of Chinese tourists went there for shopping, with each spending an average of 2200 U.S dollar, doubling the average amount spent by other overseas tourists. (File photo)

According to the Korean National Tourism Organization, 160-thousand Chinese tourists visited South Korea over Christmas and the New Year, a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

70 percent of Chinese tourists went there for shopping, with each spending an average of 2200 U.S dollar, doubling the average amount spent by other overseas tourists.

"I want to bring some gifts back. Products here are distinctive,"

"It feels good to be shopping here this time. The discounts were as much as 70 percent off, it's a good bargain,"

This manager at a South Korean department store says Chinese tourists plays an important role in his store's business.

"Chinese customers spent an average of 500,000 won per person here in 2015. There were more Chinese tourists at the year end. It's estimated that the sales might have increased by over 10 percent,"

Chinese visitors contributed 22 billion U.S. dollars to the country's service sector in 2015, 1.6 percent of the country's GDP.

To attract more Chinese visitors, the country has further eased its visa rules, by extending its fee waiver policy to the end of 2016 for Chinese tourists traveling in groups.

South Korea has also introduced a new tax refund policy, allowing foreign tourists to have an instant refund at local stores when purchasing between 1100 and 5400 yuan each time.