Winter Tourism Season Starts in Xinjiang

To make full use of the winter tourism resources of the region, ten "Classic Winter Travel Routes" and ten "Popular Ice and Snow Tourist Spots" are being recommended to travelers. The classic winter travel routes include an Ice and Snow Tour along the Silk Road, Winter Charms in Northern Xinjiang and a Tour of Ethnic Minority Flavors in Southern Xinjiang. The Ice and Snow Tourist Areas include the traditional Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi) on Tianshan Mountain, as well as the newly-developed Jurassic Ice and Snow World in Kelamayi.

The winter tourism industry in Xinjiang started in the early 1990s. By the end of 2005, the seasonal number of tourists to Xinjiang in winter reached a record 8.6 million.