With cold weather on its way for most of China, many are planning winter getaways to the warm, balmy climates of Southeast Asia. ASEAN countries, in particular, have seen a recent tourism boom thanks to an influx of Chinese travelers. And with 2018 marking the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, experts say travel between China and Southeast Asia is only going to get better. CGTN's Hu Chao reports.

Li Kai has become quite the fan of Southeast Asia. In the past five years, he has visited Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket in Thailand, and Siem Reap, Cambodia. The 55-year old says he plans to visit more of Southeast Asia again soon.

LI KAI RESIDENT OF TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "It's close to China geographically. Their visa processes are also quite simple. Many of the countries offer visa on arrival or are free of visa fees."

Li says he likes Thailand most of all. Aside from the attractions and the great services, he recalls seeing many fellow Chinese travelers there.

LI KAI RESIDENT OF TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "They received us with great hospitality and their services have improved. Sometimes I even felt like I was in China, because of tourists there like me."

And Li says one of the area's perks is the affordability. A week-long trip only costs him about 3,000 yuan. Zhang Xiaoyong has worked in the tourism industry for nearly two decades. He says in recent years Southeast Asia has seen a major spike in Chinese tourists, noting that Thailand is the most popular destination among his clients.

ZHANG XIAOYONG, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER SHANXI BAOHUA INT'L TRAVEL AGENCY "Direct flights from Taiyuan to cities in Thailand started in 2011. Since then, our client numbers have skyrocketed. Now we have around 40,000 trips to Thailand each year, about 13 times as many as before 2011."

Zhang says active cooperation between China and ASEAN nations has contributed to the tourism boom on both sides.

ZHANG XIAOYONG, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER SHANXI BAOHUA INT'L TRAVEL AGENCY "China has been promoting the Belt and Road initiative and also launched the China-ASEAN Tourism Exposition. I think these moves have greatly boosted tourism. Now, more Chinese tourists are going to ASEAN countries, and vice-versa."

HU CHAO TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "Statistics from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs show trips between China and ASEAN countries increased by more than 10 times between 2003 and 2017. And experts say that with promotional events like the annual China-ASEAN Tourism Exposition, those numbers will only continue to grow. Hu Chao, CGTN, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province."