Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Yin Lu) news: Despite a temperature difference of about 20 degrees Celsius between northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Xinjiang has brought its unique winter tourism features and splendor to Guangzhou. On November 19, 2024, a major winter cultural tourism promotion event for Xinjiang was held in Guangzhou.

Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, tourism promoters from cities and prefectures across Xinjiang unveiled a comprehensive winter travel guide at the promotional event. The guide includes winter travel discount policies, winter ice and snow sports and unique recreational activities at scenic spots, transportation arrangements for travel routes, types of accommodation and dining services, as well as a variety of souvenirs from different regions in Xinjiang.

Photo shows a tourism promoter makes a presentation for Aksu Prefecture at the promotional event held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yin Lu)

Winter in Xinjiang is all about the allure of ice and snow. From the Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort and Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Altay Prefecture to the Silk Road Mountain Resort in Urumqi, and from the Tianshan Tianchi International Ski Resort and Nuerjia Ski Resort in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture to the Cross-Country Ski Resort in Wenquan County, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, there are snowy landscapes and skiing joys everywhere. Currently, there are 188 ice and snow venues across the region, including 101 ski resorts, as well as various ice rinks and snow amusement parks.

"Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort has built 72 ski trails and has developed various parks to cater to skiers of different levels, including the BK ski park, Ziyou park, and amateur half-pipe," said Jufaer Jumahan, a tourism promoter from Altay Prefecture. "The Keketuohai International Ski Resort is known for its earliest opening of the ski season, the longest snow period, abundant snowfall, high-quality snow, and low wind speeds. While the Jikepulin International Ski Resort boasts the highest altitude of 2,848 meters and the greatest vertical drop of 1,466 meters at its ski resort," Jufaer added.

The charm of Xinjiang's ice and snow is not limited to professional ski slopes; a variety of new experiences revolving around folk culture activities have also been developed. During the winter at Bosten Lake and Ulungur Lake, the bustling winter fishing festival and folk ice entertainment competitions bring the quiet lake surfaces to life.

Along the Irtysh River, Ili River, and Tekes River, events such as the rime ice festival which combines photography, sketching, playing in the snow, ice skating, and bird watching, attract increasing numbers of tourists each year.

In the vast snowy fields of the Altai Mountains and the Tianshan Mountains, activities such as watching the heavenly horses gallop on the snow, skiing on fur skis, soaking in snowfield hot springs, eating hot pot in the snow, as well as ice climbing, sledding, and snowball fights involving thousands of people, are featured and longed for by domestic tourists on social media platforms.

Photo shows locals at the promotional event in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yin Lu)

"The winter tourism products in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture are very rich. For those who love snow, Gongnaisi National Forest Park offers a winter wonderland that feels like something out of a fairy tale. If you're into ice activities, the vast Bosten Lake is the place to be. And for cultural immersion, just head to Yanqi Hui Autonomous County and Yuli County. In Yanqi, you can visit wineries, explore wine cellars, and sample some exquisite wines, as well as step into the historical site of the Qigexing Buddhist Temple Ruins. In Yuli, you can explore the Great Wall Culture Museum in Yuli County and the Lop Nur People Village," said An Mei, an official from the Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.

The 18th Xinjiang Winter Tourism Industry Trade Expo opened on November 22. Focusing on the diversity, engagement, and comprehensive experience of winter travel, Xinjiang's culture and tourism industry has rolled out 15 premium travel routes. These include snow and ice experiencing tour, southern Xinjiang tour themed Silk Road, health and wellness tour in northern Xinjiang, eastern Tianshan exploration tour, and comprehensive leisure tours. Currently, Ctrip's stores in various cities across the country are actively promoting these routes.

Photo shows the booth of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture showcases a variety of cultural and creative products at the promotional event in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yin Lu)

"Visitors from Guangdong, including those from south China, have a strong affinity for traveling to Xinjiang. Popular tourist routes to scenic spots such as Kanas, Hemu, Kalajun, Narat, the Pamir Plateau, and Tianshan Tianchi are particularly popular during the spring and summer seasons. Additionally, many tourists have discovered that Xinjiang is a destination that can be enjoyed all year round. Following the recent photography groups that visited Xinjiang in the fall, tourists heading to Ili and Altay for winter travel have already set off, with a noticeable increase in customized tours compared to previous years," said Xu Pan, a store manager of Ctrip in Guangzhou. He also mentioned that the store has been receiving about 20 groups of visitors daily, and about a quarter of them are inquiring about travel packages to Xinjiang.

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