Feature: Student lives in a world surrounded by chocolate

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, chocolate must rate a close second. And that's what makes Yaqi Yang the envy of her family and friends in Changde, in China's Hunan Province.

Yang, 21, has a dream work-experience program in Britain which involves working at one of the country's most popular attractions, the Chocolate Story.

The venue, in the historic English city of York, tells the mouth-watering history of chocolate from its discovery to the latest developments in confectionary.

Known as April to her friends at the University of York, Yang's arrival as a volunteer worker at the city's tourism department could not have come at a better time.

City tourism chiefs have just embarked on a major drive to encourage more visitors from China to visit the city, founded by the Romans in 79 AD.

New figures released by the VisitYork bureau reveal Chinese tourists have entered the top-10 list of international visitors, compared with 19th place in 2005.

Yang decided on voluntary work with VisitYork to help improve her English and learn more about life and people in Britain, and to give her business experience.

"It's also relevant to my course in public administration," explained Yang, who has an ambition to set up a business advisory operation and be a leader in her field.

"York is an internationally famous city with a great history, dozens of places of interest and beautiful historic buildings. York's Chocolate Story is just one of many world class attractions. It helps visitors get in touch with the amazing history of chocolate making in York," said Yang.

After gaining a degree in politics and administration in Hunan Normal University in 2014, Yang enrolled at the University of York on a master's course.

She is delighted her work means regular visits to the Chocolate Story.

"Chinese visitors are particularly interested in chocolate because of the Rowntree family and Quaker community, in China we don't really have this kind of organisation. The British have a great background in making chocolate," said Yang.

"For me this opportunity is fantastic. York has great scenery, friendly people, superb architecture and the Chocolate Story. It is really like a dream come true," she added.

When Yang sends gifts to friends and family back home, the choice is easy, chocolate, though occasionally she'll buy packets of Yorkshire tea.

Continuum Attractions, the company that operates the Chocolate Story, is delighted with Yang's arrival in York.

A spokeswoman for Continuum said: "Chocolate Story was commended 'the most popular attraction for Chinese tourists' by VisitYork's new Chinese Tourism recruit April Yang. It has proved very popular with Chinese guests who can discover the stories behind the greatest names in chocolate and learn the art of the chocolatier."

Continuum this week named China as first on its agenda for a projected influx of tourists in 2015.

"Our seven visitor experiences, including Chocolate Story in York, are getting 'China ready'," said a spokesman for the company.

A spokeswoman for VisitYork told Xinhua: "China is estimated to be York's 10th largest overseas market, up from 19th place 10 years ago. The growth potential for this market is huge. Visits to the UK from China have doubled in the last 10 years and it is hoped the numbers will triple again by 2020."

To cater for an expected influx of visitors, VisitYork has produced a visitor guide in Chinese, with copies distributed to key tour operators and on five incoming airlines from China. Endit