Christchurch-based Jin Zhijian and wife He Linyun were hosted by Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan and Central Otago District Council economic development manager Warwick Hawker.
The couple were shown the area's Chinese gold-mining history at the Cromwell Museum.
They were also taken around Fairview Orchard in Roxburgh, toured Chinese gold-miner huts with Clutha River Cruises, had lunch at Carrick Restaurant in Bannockburn and were driven around Cromwell's Highlands Motorsport Park.
Mr Jin said the tour was organised partly to meet the new mayor, but also to look for Chinese investment opportunities.
''There are more and more Chinese visitors to this area, so I wanted to figure out what was happening here.''
China had a big role in Central Otago's international trade and he wanted to see it up close, he said. ''I have a deep impression of this area. I love the fruit, I love the scenery; it's so perfect.''
Mr Cadogan said the district needed to take every opportunity to show off its heritage to potential Chinese visitors.
''That cultural heritage is a real jewel in our crown that we need to dust off and show people.''
Airline China Southern would soon increase flights between Guangzhou and Christchurch from three a week to five.
This would probably benefit the region, he said.
Mr Hawker said Chinese tourism and trade were a ''very important'' part of the Central Otago economy.
Cromwell Museum trustee Joan Lawrence said Chinese miners were mostly very poor and sent much of their earnings to their families back in China.
They were known for their meticulous technique where they would take up old claims and mine for gold that was missed, she said.
At their peak in 1871 there were 4200 Chinese miners on Otago goldfields.
