A large number of Chinese are keen to study India's success story in economic liberalisation and undertake tours of Buddhist heritage sites.
Though Chinese citizens have no idea about the slogan Hindi-Chini, Bhai-Bhai or little idea about what Bhai means, they know India is a 'fascinating' country with whom they share a boundary.
"Chinese are very keen to know more about India than any other country. We've heard a lot about its economic liberalisation and progress to prosperity. Many of us also want to visit Buddhist heritage sites in India," said Zhans Wenli, Professor at the University of Yunnan's School of Foreign Languages.
Many of them have heard stories about how Manmohan Singh, as finance minister, introduced reforms in India's economy and now during his Prime Ministership, India is getting world attention as an economic power.
Others believe that it is a sacred place where people like Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore were born. "I want to visit India to know its people, its economy and see Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Shantiniketan. We should not forget that China and India have many similarities in culture, climate and commerce," said Yang Chong Li, a college student.
The recent visit by two delegations from China to Buddhist heritage sites in Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and Varanasi also drew attention of many Chinese tourists.
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