Making icy rides safe when danger is all around

Although the ice towns of Northeast China may seem irresistible to those who crave snow, experienced backpackers say road trips through the frozen region may not be for everyone.

Wang Xiaofeng, vice-chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, said people from southern parts often travel in large numbers during the Spring Festival holiday to northeastern parts to enjoy snow attractions.

Nearly 53 percent of such tourists choose to travel on their own rather than with tour groups, and many of them drive their own cars or hire local drivers to steer their rented vehicles.

However, travel experts warn that driving on snow-and ice-covered roads can be dangerous, especially for drivers not familiar with the local terrain.

Beijing-based Zheng Wei, a seasoned backpacker, said even he would prefer to hire a local driver when venturing into the frozen areas of Northeast China.

"It's too cold out there, the road is frozen like a mirror, and along the road you can always find vehicles stuck in the gutter," said Zheng.

"Sometimes, the road is not just frozen, there could be a deep ditch underneath the heavy snow, but you won't notice a thing."

Yu Tiecheng, a local outdoor guide, suggested the best way for non-local tourists to explore the snow region is to hire a local driver.

"The local mountain road is often a two-way road with a thick ice cover. It requires years of practice to drive on such a road, especially when other cars come toward you from the other direction," he said.

He said when he leads a winter tour, he would prefer to hire a senior driver instead of hiring a young man.

He said he has seen many southerners coming to the Northeast to feel the coldness and to walk on the snow-clad land. But for those who have little experience in driving on snowy days, it is better to simply hire an experienced local driver.

Zheng suggested that the brave who insist on rides in self-driven vehicles, should prefer a four-wheel drive SUV. Snow chains, anti-skid liquid and a shovel are absolutely essential for such trips.