The number of Chinese tourists going overseas has quadrupled in the past decade.

Outbound tourists rose from 16.6 million to 70.3 million, up 323 percent from 2002 to 2011, according to National Tourism Administration.

In 2001, there were 18 overseas destinations for Chinese citizens who made 12.1 million trips. Currently, China has approved 146 countries and regions as tourist destinations and overseas trips reached 70.3 million. China has become Asia's largest and world's third largest tourist source.

China is also a large tourist destination for overseas visitors. In 2011, China received 57.6 million inbound lodging tourists, the third largest inbound trip reception country in the world, compared to 36.8 million in 2002, up 56.5 percent.

China achieved revenue of $48.5 billion (foreign exchange) in international trips in 2011, compared to $20.4 billion in 2002, up 138 percent.

Tourists bound for South Korea prepare to get on a train in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Oct 15, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

A policewoman looks through passports for applicants in Beijing, on Oct 19, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]