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Winter Wonderlands for Sun Seekers

While Beijing's winter snow has its drawbacks, it also provides seasonal fun for tourists and local people alike. Now under way and running until the end of February is the 2001 Beijing Silver Winter Ice & Snow Festival with adults' and children's activities ranging from skiing and skating to go-kart racing and sleigh-riding. For the more adventurous there are ice-climbing contests, snow motor-biking and chilly swimming competitions. Organizers say the festival overall is more exciting than in previous years.

More than 20 tourist sites are presenting individual programs, including sports, ice-lantern displays, ice sculptures, ice-skating and skiing.
Fifteen years ago, Yanqing was the first Beijing county to present ice lanterns and sculptures. It is again doing so. As in the past, its latest festival is being held in Longqing Gorge. New this year are its Shijinglong Skiing Ground and Kangxi Grassland, where visitors will also find splendid ice falls, an ice-climbing competition, ice sailing and an ice labyrinth. There is also skiing and motorcycling on snow.


Selection of Festival Locations
15th Longqing Gorge
Ice Lantern Festival
T ime: January-February
Location: Longqing Gorge, Yanqing County
Tel: 6919-1020
Activities: Ice and festival lanterns, ice falls, ice-climbing competition.

Kangxi Grassland
Ice & Snow Festival
January-February
Kangxi Grassland, Yanqing County
Tel: 6913-1603
Sleigh-riding, spinning toys, ice labyrinth, horse riding, go-karting, car driving.

Shijinglong Skiing Ground
January-February
Shijinglong, Yanqing County
Tel: 6919-1615
Individual skiing, motor-cycling and biking on snow, skiing competition.
Rental equipment (skis etc) available for 800 people. Cable car transfers 450 people per hour up mountain. Two spacious skiing slopes.

Lingshan Skiing Festival
January-March
Lingshan, Mentougou District
Tel: 6085-7994
National coach on spot to advise skiing beginners. Ski slopes suitable for different ages and competency levels. Great scenery, including Lingshan Mountains, with Beijing's highest peak.

Jingdong Great Canyon
Skiing Ground
January-February
Pinggu County
Tel: 8996-1317
January 14: Outdoor winter swimming contest with 800 participants. Ski slopes totaling 20,000 square meters.