An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 10, 2024 shows a hot spring hotel and a ski resort in Benxi, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

This New Year holiday sees Chinese travelers heading to diverse winter destinations, seeking everything from northeastern ice and snow to southern sunshine and tropical beaches.

In Benxi Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province, the Yunshan Ski Resort awakens for peak season of winter sports. Across its six winding runs, the snow lies thick and compact, offering ideal skiing conditions. After several runs on the advanced slope, tourist Lin Ruyu removed her gear to rest. "I've been skiing for four or five years. Today I did three or four runs on the most difficult slope -- it was truly exhilarating."

Another attraction that drew her and five friends and family members to drive over 1,000 kilometers was the hot springs. Minutes from the ski resort, the Huaximu tourist complex offers a moment of relaxation. Its name, meaning "bathing in spring with flowers," captures the serene ambiance. Steam drifts above the outdoor pools as snow gathers along their edges.

According to Xue Meng, a manager at the complex, the hot spring water comes from natural underground sources, maintaining a high, stable temperature year-round. The site also features milk baths, red wine baths, coffee baths and herbal pools to cater to various preferences.

To meet growing tourist demand, the ski resort and hot spring now offer a combined package. A shuttle takes visitors directly from the slopes to the pools. "Just fifteen minutes in the hot water can ease skiing fatigue," Xue explained.

This combination is particularly popular with families, noted Chen Bin, a manager at the ski resort. "More families are joining together," he said, adding that seniors often prefer the hot springs, while adults and children spend more time skiing.

From snow slopes to hot springs, this blend of harsh climate and thermal comfort is becoming a hallmark of winter tourism in northeast China. While northeast China grows its winter sports economy, several thousand kilometers south in the tropical latitudes, local tourism is expanding ecological experiences built around marine and island scenery.