Miyun and Luanping create seasonal itineraries

Northeastern Beijing's Miyun district and northern Hebei province's Luanping town have created two winter routes, offering such seasonal elements as skiing and frozen waterfalls.

The first itinerary focuses on landscapes.

It starts at Miyun's Nanshan Ski Village, which has installed lights to offer night skiing. Overnight guests can stay in villas and thaw out in hot springs.

The resort received about 250,000 visits last winter.

Travelers can then explore Buddhist culture and historical buildings in the forests of the Yexianta scenic spot, before spending the evening at Yuhu Resort, which offers diverse cuisine and entertainment, including bowling and traditional Chinese medicine.

They can spend the next day at Qingliang Valley, which is full of such frozen formations as icicles.

The district's Wtown resort will stage a winter-culture tourism festival in January. It'll feature a New Year countdown, music performances and temple fairs.

Food will be a major highlight of the celebrations, including such specialties as mutton feasts and copper hotpot.

Despite the season, visitors can also pick fruit and vegetables at local farms.

Luanping, for its part, has prepared hikes along the Great Wall's Jinshanling section and guides to lead visitors to explore local folk customs, cuisine and history.

The second route focuses on culture and history.

Miyun's Yunfoshan Ski Resort has also prepared for the season. It'll offer ski instruction and recreational activities. Daily guest numbers peak at 3,000.

The nearby Grand Bay Hotel offers hot springs and spa experiences.

Travelers can then head to the Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool) scenic spot to see frozen waterfalls.

Miyun's Sunshine Valley will host a winter carnival, featuring ice fishing, sledding and skiing. Guests can stay in recreational vehicles or wooden cabins.

Travelers can then spend their final day in Luanping county, where one can learn about local history at the Shanrong Museum before enjoying fruit picking and rural cuisine at the Kangsai Manor, where night performances feature iron smiths' sparks.