Enjoy the Warmth of a Beijing Winter

For most people winter is a depressing season when, home-hobbies and other indoor activities apart, there is little exciting to do and few outdoor places worth visiting because of the cold and biting winds. Or so it was in yesteryear Beijing. Coincide with this year's Beijing-Hong Kong Symposium on Economic Cooperation, Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA) is overturning the perception of the boring Beijing in the minds of Hong Kong people at least by introducing them to special winter events under the theme "Have an Exciting Winter in Beijing".

The introduction of ice and snow festivals in suburban Beijing, and the mushrooming of ski slopes and skating rinks, have brought color and warmth to Beijingers' lives in the past two years especially. Those who enjoy these pursuits forget the cold as they squeeze into ski suits, helmets and heavy boots, and feel no inhibitions when falling flat on their face as they strive to become competent in the sports. Almost overnight, it seems, skiing and skating are all the rage in wintry Beijing.

To attract more Hong Kong visitors to the Chinese capital for winter sports, the BTA is this month leading a strong group of snow-ground representatives and travel agencies to the territory--one of Beijing's main sources of tourists. Said BTA director Yu Changjiang: "Winter facilities and activities are becoming very mature, so I am confident that we can provide our Hong Kong friends with a great winter treat. I hope they come to Beijing to enjoy the attractions, and share the joy with us."

Yu will give an address at the opening ceremony of a Beijing tourism promotion in Hong Kong on October 29, and tell the territory's tourist agencies and other holiday enterprises about the huge range of winter activities in Beijing. He will also invite people there to celebrate the Spring Festival in Beijing.

"Nowadays, tourism is not only about visiting one place and taking pictures. People need to really enjoy all aspects of tourism," said Wang Qing, director of the BTA Domestic Department. "There are many ways to do so, and many things to do in Beijing. Urban Beijingers like to go to the suburbs and get the flavor of traditional festivals, and I'm sure Hong Kong people would also love to do so."

As part of the Hong Kong promotion, the BTA will make use of the exhibition hall in the new wing of Hong Kong's International Conference Center. It will be decorated in traditional Chinese style with everything from Chinese knots to couplets, and a huge screen will show scenes of Beijing's skiing grounds and people having great fun. There will also be information on this winter's Beijing Third Snow and Ice Festival, which will also project the counties and districts of Yanqing, Pinggu, Huairou, Changping, Fangshan, Miyun and Mentougou.

Hongkongers will also be told about the Ice Lantern Festival at Yanqing, a popular venue because of its sculpted ice models, and the huge natural skating rink on Jinhai Lake in east Beijing's Pinggu County. Visitors can also enjoy ice sleighing and motorcycling, as well as perfecting their skating technique. Popular skiing grounds include Nanshan in Miyun; Huaibei International Ski Resort, Huairou; Snow World Entertainment Center, Changping; and Shijinglong Skiing Resort, Yanqing.

During Spring Festivals, more and more urban Beijingers now seek traditional celebrations such as firecrackers and couplets at countryside festivals as reminders of their earlier days. Many enjoy spending nights in local peasants' homes, where hospitality is overwhelming and the cost amazingly low. Many rural villages near skiing grounds are now open to tourists who want to stay for a few days, incluidng Daying in Tongzhou District, east Beijing; Liuminying in southern Daxing District; and western Hancunhe Village, Fangshan District.

Winter Tourism Tip: Whether you are a Beijinger, Hongkonger or anyone else, book early with your travel agent if you want to stay in a rural village during the winter.