Whatever the season, China will keep tourists busy

China's rich diversity, showcased in its national and local festivals, is sending inbound tourist figures soaring to unprecedented levels across China.

China's unique history and heritage blended with rapid modernization — increasingly futuristic, and cashless city environments and a high speed rail network that leads the world — are providing a perfect platform for international tourists to flock to all parts of China's vast and diverse geographical landmass.

The modernization apart, it is just important to highlight the exponential growth in eco and rural tourism across China.

The rapid increase in flights to different parts of the Chinese mainland from overseas is also worth noting. International airports offering direct international flights are now situated well beyond tier-I cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Southwestern Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Chengdu and Kunming, as well as northwestern Xi'an, all cater to direct flights from overseas.

Even the east coast city of Qingdao and cities as far afield as Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, now get direct international flights.

Visa-free travel to China has also contributed to this exponential rise in inbound tourism. As of now, travelers from a staggering 74 countries enjoy visa-free stay in China for up to 30 days. The United Kingdom is among the recent additions to this golden travel bonanza.

And right now, of course, with winter underway and the Spring Festival holiday around the corner, it is just the season to visit China. Ski resorts and other winter sports venues are aplenty across northern China and in and around Beijing and neighboring Hebei province.

China's Harbin Ice and Snow festival has for quite a while been a magnet for international tourists. As the Year of the Horse sets in on Feb 17, there is a steep rise in inbound travel, not surprising for this time of the year.

International flights to China for this year's Chinese New Year holiday season are up by approximately 400 percent, a significant surge.

Apart from the famous Harbin Ice and Snow festival, with its incredible ice sculptures, there are lesser known but just as spectacular international tourist attractions across North China.

Wusong Island in Northeast China's Jilin province fits perfectly into the category of a yet-untapped tourist destination with stunning ice scenery along the Songhua River.

Not that winter tourism is restricted to China's northern and northeastern provinces, such is the breadth and diversity of China's vast landmass.

Hainan Island, southern China's sunshine tourist hotspot, is the perfect winter escape with its year-round tropical climate and superb, sandy beaches.

Springtime tourist attractions also feature heavily across China. Eastern China's city of Hangzhou stands out as a "must see" destination, with its scenic West Lake surrounded by beautiful Buddhist temples and wonderful pagodas.

Summertime also offers major attractions to international tourists in China, be it in the lush, grasslands of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, or the year-round moderate climate in Kunming in southwestern China's picturesque Yunnan province.

And autumn is not to be outdone either, from Beijing's crimson-leaf-coloured Fragrant Hills to South China's Guilin city, places where time stands still and very pervasive tranquility permeates the landscape.

From China's increasingly urban landscapes to bucolic, rural scenery and year-round festivals and attractions, it should come as no surprise that China is fast becoming the magnet for international tourists.

Equally important is its enviable 5,000-plus-year history and cultural heritage that few countries can rival.

Given the number of arrivals this season, international tourists might sometimes have to exercise patience, but not for too long.

The high-speed rail network is an example of the speed with which modernization is taking place across the country.

The author is a senior lecturer at the UK's University of Southampton.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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