Yanbian, the only ethnic Korean autonomous prefecture in China, has experienced a rapid increase in tourists in search of its ethnic cultural experiences since the beginning of this year.

The Chinese Korean Ethnic Park in Yanji, the prefectural capital, displays all the elements of Korean culture and customs, and attracts many visitors, especially young women, who can experience dressing up as a Korean princess.

Even on chilly winter days, the park still receives over 4,000 visitors a day, many of them from southern China.

Ma Yuying, a visitor from Nanning in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, chose a trip to Yanji as her 24th birthday gift.

"This is my first time to experience winter in the northeast," she says. "I also tried the outdoor hot springs, which were comfortable and relaxing. It has left me with really unforgettable memories".

The provincial government sets aside 100 million yuan a year for the development of its winter tourism sector, and has also introduced a number of preferential policies to help promote it further. And in addition to issuing 30 million yuan in winter tourism vouchers, 10 million yuan in winter transportation subsidies is also being offered to group tourists.

The winter sports sector is being extended and the province will introduce a plan to expand its winter equipment manufacturing businesses, increase the transformation and use of new materials and technologies, and encourage the creation of domestic winter equipment manufacturers and brands, such as those involved in making carbon fiber ski equipment and anti-cutting suits, made from cut (especially against the ice skate blade) resistant clothing.