On November 17, a reporter visited several travel agencies in downtown Jining, Shandong Province, and learned that currently, hot spring tours and skiing trips have become the “trump cards” used by agencies to attract customers. Many skiing enthusiasts have also eagerly started purchasing outdoor skiing gear, ready for spontaneous winter trips to snowy destinations.
A manager at a Jining-based travel agency, Mr. Man, told reporters that snow and ice have always been the themes of winter tourism. Skiing trips in Jining basically went on sale in mid-November, with a variety of package options available. The typical route mainly departs from Jinan to Harbin, then heads to Yabuli or Snow Town to experience skiing and admire the vast northern winter landscape of frozen rivers and snow-covered fields. The trip generally lasts six to eight days, with an average price of around 2,000 yuan. “The ski resorts in Northeast China have already opened, but it’s still the early season for skiing trips, so we’ve introduced some special offer packages with relatively lower prices,” Mr. Man said.
“We want to experience the local customs and culture of the Northeast, and enjoy the snowy forests and winter scenery,” said several young people who were inquiring about skiing trips at a travel agency. In recent days, they often see friends posting photos of skiing on social media, and they can hardly contain their excitement to give it a try themselves. A travel agency manager noted that in recent years, skiing tour products have gained increasing popularity among residents, with strong sales every winter. Nowadays, the age range of skiers has also broadened significantly, and many ski resorts have even set up dedicated areas suitable for beginners and children.
Compared to the snowy adventures desired by the youth, the elderly prefer warmer weather during the winter. “The Northeast is too cold and too far for us seniors—visiting a nearby hot spring is a great alternative,” said Mr. Wang, who is planning a trip with his wife. Since the start of winter, inquiries about hot spring tours have noticeably increased at various travel agencies, especially for nearby hot spring routes that are particularly favored by older adults.