Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Yao Gang) news: "This winter, we will create the 'Snow Festival' super IP, integrating all previous winter cultural tourism activities into this new symbol." On November 17, 2023, the 17th Xinjiang Winter Tourism Trade Fair and the 2023 Xinjiang Snow Festival Press Conference was held in Beijing. Yu Jie, deputy director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, disclosed this news, which immediately caught wide attention.

Photo shows winter scenery of Kanas scenic area in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yao Kang)

It is reported that the 2023 Xinjiang Snow Festival will start from December 22 to 31, 2023 in Urumqi and Altay. It will launch more than 30 ice and snow cultural tourism activities, heat up people’s passion for ice and snow, and attract widespread participation from tourists and the public. The supporting activities of the Snow Festival will continue until February 2024.

“By creating this new IP, we aim to showcase the image of Xinjiang by its ice and snow, lead the trend of ice and snow tourism consumption, and promote the continuous growth of ice and snow tourism.”said Yu Jie.

The most important sports events in the 2023 Xinjiang Snow Festival, the FWT Freeride World Tour and the Snow Challenge, have started accepting registrations. This is the first time for FWT to enter China, and athletes from around the world will fully experience the charm of Xinjiang's snow. “Hosting top-level events that attract skiing enthusiasts from around the world can also be a successful marketing of Xinjiang's ice and snow resources,” said Lai Gang, an expert in the skiing industry and founder of Lengshan and GOSKI brands.

"For the 2023 Xinjiang Snow Festival, we have launched a 'one-ticket pass' concession. Tourists can purchase a 100-yuan ticket and enjoy three days of travel in Kanas, Baihaba, and Hemu scenic spots. In order to further meet the needs of tourists for winter snow scenery, self-driving in the Kanas scenic area is toll free.” Lei Debao, head of the tourism development department of the Kanas scenic area management committee, introduced that the scenic area also plans to launch winter ice and snow activities such as the Hemu Ice and Snow Festival and other activities to further enhance the enjoyment of the winter scenic area, so as to promote winter tourism consumption through special folk cultural activities.

Photo shows winter scenery of Kanas scenic area in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yao Kang)

Altay Prefecture is one of the most popular winter tourist destinations in Xinjiang. Pan Feng, an Altay Prefecture government officer, said that in this snow season, A-level scenic spots will be organized to implement preferential winter ticket prices in 50 percent discount or for free, except for Kanas scenic spot. "Focusing on skiing, we have launched Ruyi cards, family cards, youth cards, couple cards, etc., which continue to enrich the variety of ski packages and give tourists more choices. Aiming at organizing groups in winter, various counties and cities have introduced reward and subsidy policies for self-driving tours, group tours and seeing off guests. Various hotels, inns, restaurants and shopping malls offer money off, discounts and others. "said Pan Feng.

Kuqa City has launched the "one-ticket pass for Kuqa tour" winter tourism promotion, where tourists only need to spend 99 yuan to visit six scenic spots including the Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kizilgaha Beacon Tower, Subash Buddhist Temple ruins, Kuqa Royal Palace, Kuqa Great Temple, and Kuqa Naan Fair. "We aim to benefit tourists and allow more people to experience the winter scenery and historical culture of Kuqa," said Pang Xiuqi, secretary of the leading Party members group of the Kuqa City Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau.

In addition, various regions in Xinjiang will continue to launch preferential policies and release innovative products around ice and snow tourism and skiing vacations and others, to make this winter's Xinjiang tourism boom.

(A written permission shall be obtained for reprinting, excerpting, copying and mirroring of the contents published on this website. Unauthorized aforementioned act shall be deemed an infringement, of which the actor shall be held accountable under the law.)