I have had a few visitors.  I offer them free stay and food at my apartment, they will pay for everything else.  Yes, airfares could be a high expense to get here, but not having to pay for hotel or food tends to make the airfare look smaller.  Funny in a way, at least with my guests, those that were more reluctant to come, can not wait until next vacation to come back again.

I do explain to them that in China, there are many beautiful and different places to see, very much worth the trip over.  I also suggest to them that a 3 to 4 weeks stay for the first time is best.  So far, only one close friend has not taken me on my offer.

Keep bugging him. That's all you can do. My Dad visited before I was married cause work sent him and he took a few days off at the end and we hung out, it was my mom that was the hard sell. She came for the wedding and that's what it took. 

I am in the same boat trying hard to get dad out here but to no avail. He can even get free flights as far as Japan but still can’t budge him.  Ex-military he fought in Vietnam still thinks all of Asia is like it was then.Oh well mum said she would come and bring his credit card.

tell my family there is Brazilian party and it will be just like Brazil.

My brother came out to visit me a few weeks ago.  He just wanted to see me being family been a long time and didnt care that it was China he was coming.  

If you said back home you said you were going to China most people would not think it was a great choice for a holiday as not your typical beach holiday.   But if you go to China to see things like the underground army, and great wall a wonder of the world i think everyone would want to see that stuff before they die.  Sell the visit as seeing you and a cultured experience of a lifetime.

make a detailed plan, if your dad didnt like it, offer him another plan, and another, and another.........etc....