Jilin Special: Jilin's snowy charms beckon tourists

Jilin province held a promotion week in Beijing at the end of last month to draw more winter tourists to its abundant snow and icy charms.

"We already have a complete winter tourism chain," said Lin Tian, deputy director of the province's tourism bureau. "This is our advantage to attract visitors."

The northeastern province has a wide range of attractions to meet the diverse needs of tourists, according to Lin.

Sightseeing tourists can enjoy the snow-covered landscape of the Changbai Mountains and the natural wonder of icicles in Jilin City.

Winter sports lovers can enjoy the many ski resorts across the province.

Watching winter fishing on Chagan Lake and celebrating Spring Festival with Northeastern characteristics are popular pastimes for those with special interests in folk traditions and customs.

Leisure tourists can spend their days at the many hot spring resorts in Jilin and nights in a rustic inn sleeping on a huokang - a huge bed made of bricks heated by a stove.

Changbai Mountains

The most renowned destination in Jilin province is the Changbai Mountains, said Zhang Wei, deputy director of the administrative committee of the Changbai Mountains Protective Development Zone.

The area is covered by snow for about eight months a year from October to May.

"As far as I know, the main peak of Changbai is the only snow-covered mountain in China that can be conquered by ordinary tourists," Zhang said.

He added that a new attraction is the Changbai ski resort with several natural runs that cover almost 10 kilometers from the 2,600-meter peak to the foot of the mountain.

"In the past, skiers could only find off-trail skiing in the Alps or perhaps Canada and the United States, but now they can have the same experience at the Changbai resort, which provides different slopes for learners to advanced levels," he said.

Hot springs are another attraction. According to Zhang, some locales must dig hundreds or thousands of meters below the earth to hit hot water, but Changbai's hot spring are from the ground naturally.

The biggest hot spring hotel in the Changbai region is now finished, offering amenities and infrastructure to welcome travelers this winter.

Some of the hotel's hot spring pools are in primitive forest or amid snowy scenery. The more hardy can climb to the top of the mountain then recover in hot springs at its base.

Rafting in winter might sound daunting, but the Changbai area's fast-moving streams will not freeze even at minus 30 C, offering rafters a thrilling ride through snow-covered scenery. Officials have safety measures in place to protect participants.

Easy transport

"Many people have heard of Changbai, but don't know how to get there," said Zhang. "In fact the transport is very convenient now."

He said Changbaishan Airport now has flights to Beijing, Changchun and Yanji. Flights to Beijing take off every day with travel time under two hours.

The airport is just 15 kilometers from the west slope scenic area.

Accommodation in the area is also convenient. Four or five-star hotels and family inns are all available.

Zhang suggests that travelers to Changbai plan at least three days for the trip.

Upon arrival, tourists can enjoy the scenery of the west slope and spend the night. On the second day, they can go to northern slope to see waterfalls and a forest flourishing in a volcanic crater. On the third day they can visit some hot springs and themed restaurants.

Now more and more travelers choose to drive to Changbai along recently completed modern highways. They can also explore other sites along the way, Zhang said.

(China Daily 11/25/2010 page16)