Sloping off for winter

In Xinjiang, at a winter-tourism festival in the region's capital, Urumqi, and a winter-industry expo in Altay, more than 130 tourism activities have been staged since Oct 14, many of which will also continue through March.

Travelers can explore the wilderness on a horse-drawn sleigh or by helicopter at the Altay Mountain Wild Snow Park, while hot air balloon flights, ethnic Kazak folk performances and rime festivals in Koktokay. Rime is white ice that forms when water droplets in fog freeze to the outer surfaces of objects, such as trees and is feathery and milky in appearance, creating stunning scenery.

Urumqi's ancient ecology park offers opportunities for horse riders to engage with the region's equestrian culture during holidays like Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 5, and Valentine's Day, nine days later.

At the same time, Xinjiang has adopted about 100 new policies to boost winter tourism. Free and discounted skiing and dining tickets will be offered at Urumqi's 20-day snow-art carnival which takes place around Spring Festival.

Gifts and Xinjiang specialties at an "agritainment" food competition and hiking event around the capital's Grand Bazaar will be prepared, while top-grade scenic spots will offer lower winter ticket prices through March.

Chartered-plane and tourism-train passengers will receive monetary incentives, as will travel agencies that bring large numbers of visitors during the winter.

Heilongjiang province has also upgraded its winter tourism packages and offers custom-made tours and interactive programs. More than 300 events featuring folk celebrations and winter sports, as well more than 4,000 art performances are part of a program that runs through April, according to Zhang Lina, head of the Heilongjiang culture and tourism authority.

The capital city and future host of the Winter Olympics, Beijing, as you would expect, is keen to raise the profile of winter travel and get in on the action. Therefore, it has also launched 15 tourism packages and dozens of self-drive routes to provide plenty of winter fun for local residents and tourists.

The packages cover activities across a range of interests, including folk customs, winter sports, traditional Chinese medicine, hot springs, shopping and art performances.