A number of Chinese tourists paid as much as $10,000 to enjoy a vacation package with an exclusive access to NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant.

The sports event company Irena International, owned by Eric Gao, arranged the exclusive trip which brought 150 Chinese fans all the way from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, as well as Japan, to witness the Black Mamba's last show in the NBA.

Like Us on Facebook

The tourists arrived into town on Monday night, commencing their tour with a rooftop buffer dinner where they got the chance to hear Rick Fox and Jalen Rose's testimonies of what it feels like to share the court with Kobe.

Tuesday afternoon was the much anticipated part of the trip when Bryant took the time to visit the group at Millennium Biltmore hotel. Kobe only agreed to stay for 35 minutes but extended for about an hour to entertain questions, pose for photos and sign autographs, according to his fans.

Qian Wong, an Oxford Brookes University student, said he had his Lakers hat autographed and wished Bryant a happy retired life. "He said, 'I appreciate it'," Wong said, recalling the momentous meet-up he had with his idol.

The tourists were also given a once in a lifetime opportunity and spent two hours on a practice basketball court at USC with D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

"It's amazing," Ping An, 38, said. "I love this game, what can I say."

But the emotions experience of being in the stands on Wednesday night is one of the reasons why Gao brought himself over, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Gao, who has organized multiple NBA exhibition games in China, doubts if another NBA player would surpass Kobe Bryant's greatness.

"There's several young rising stars - Stephen Curry is one --- that can be the next Kobe Bryant for China," he said. "But it's difficult. Kobe is No. 1."

Bryant has established an authentic connection to his over 300 million Chinese fans. He has held training camps in the country, set on fan engagement tours and even learned basic Mandarin phrases. He is also a brand ambassador of the Smart car and Lenovo and visits China every summer for Nike.

TagsKobe Bryant, NBA, Lakers, final game, Basketball, china