China's memorial for Korean patriot becomes hot tourist spot

China's memorial for a Korean patriot who killed a top Japanese official over a century ago has received more than 50,000 visitors since opening in January, said managers.

The memorial for Ahn Jung Geun in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, receives 500 to 600 visitors a day, said Kang Yuehua, who is in charge of the facility, on Tuesday.

Ahn Jung Geun shot dead Hirobumi Ito, who served as Japan's prime minister four times before becoming resident-general of Korea in 1905. Ito was shot at Harbin Railway Station on Oct 26, 1909. Ahn was arrested at the scene of the shooting and secretly executed in March 1910 by Japanese forces.

The memorial in the Harbin Railway Station covers an area of more than 100 square meters and consists of exhibition rooms telling the story of Ahn's life. It also shows the exact spot where the shooting took place.

It opened to the general public on Jan 19 and offers free admission.

Chinese accounted for about 60 percent of tourists, and nationals from the Republic of Korea (ROK) made up 30 percent of visitors.

The memorial has attracted some historians and friendly Japanese nationals, said Kang, who is also curator of the Korean arts museum in Harbin.

"We feel proud of Ahn Jung Geun and thank China for having done all this," said Hee Sun Jung, general manager of the Harbin regional field office of the ROK's Asiana Airlines.

The peak in ROK tourists will come in the summer, when weather in the northern "icy city" of Harbin is comfortable.