A NUMBER of cities and tourist destinations are offering discounts on fares and hotels during and after the Chinese lunar New Year to attract travelers. Apart from northern China, central China and Tibet which we covered before the holidays, eastern China and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are also offering discounted tours until the end of this month or next month.    

    Eastern China

    Shandong Province in eastern China is offering various discounts on fares to destinations in a list of cities. The biggest discount is being offered by Jining City on a two-day tour to two 4A-level and two 3A-level attractions, costing only 118 yuan per head.

    Weihai City is offering discounted admission to travelers. Chengshantou scenic spot is free Feb. 17 and admission to Chishan scenic spot is half-price until Feb. 17.

    In Qingdao City, Qingdao Underwater World is offering discounted admission of 60 yuan. Wulianshan Mountain and Jiuxianshan scenic spot are offering a 50-percent discount on admission until Feb. 28.

    Jiuding Pagoda in Jinan City has a cultural feast for visitors. Apart from skiing, travelers can also enjoy snow motorcycling, snow bicycling and sledding in Jinan. On Feb. 17 and 18, there will be lantern riddles and a Lantern Festival party.

    Zhoucun Village in Zibo has launched a series of festive activities on its ancient streets with a wide variety of performances and traditional activities on its decorated streets.

    Transport: Fly to Qingdao or Jinan from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and then take a bus to the destinations.

    Accommodation: Qingdao Hotel is considered the best in Shandong Province. There is also a wide selection of other hotels and hostels in Qingdao, Jinan and other cities.

    Xinjiang

    The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in western China is offering discounts of up to 50 percent on snow tours until March 31.

    Tianchi (Hevenly Lake) scenic spot has reduced admission by 60 percent to 40 yuan and anyone buying five tickets or more can get one free. Tianchi’s Xiwangmu Temple and Fushouguan are free. Tours to a grape wine villa in Tianshan are also free.

    There are many places of historic interest around Tianchi. Visitors can see the ruins of Dongyue Temple in the west of Tianchi and Wuji Temple not far from the lake.

    Tianchi international skiing resort offers a one-day skiing package for 98 yuan during the week and 118 yuan at weekends.

    Kanas Lake, China’s deepest freshwater lake in a valley in the Altai Mountain, also has discounted admission. It is near the northern tip of Xinjiang and the border with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia. There is a large population of Tuvans in the area and about 117 species of birds live along the lake.

    Xinjiang is home to several ethnic groups of various religious traditions, with the majority following Islam.

    Transport: Fly to Urumqi in Xinjiang from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and take buses to destinations.

    Accommodation: Yidu Hotel in Xinjiang offers a standard room for around 200 yuan. (Jane Lai)