Snow sculptures demonstrating Xinjiang's traditional culture are displayed in the People's Square and Red Hill Park. Sliding boards carved by ice also attract many tourists. Moreover, Xuelianshan and Silk Road ski runs are also well prepared for upcoming 20-30 thousand tourists from home and abroad.

Local travel agencies also launched five tour routes in the region, for tourists to enjoy unique winter scenery there. Tourists can have access to scenic spots in Kashgar, Tianshan and Turpan, and some can be seen for free.

Xinjiang, an ancient communications center on the ancient Silk Road, has a long history of sporting on ice and snow. All kinds of recreation activities in a snow world always fascinate local citizens. Altay Prefecture is regarded as the cradle of traditional Chinese skiing. In the past, because of poor transportation facilities, the development of local tourism in winter always stagnated. Local government has invested a lot of money on infrastructures in recent years, to promote tourism industry.

The 2006 Silk Road Snow and Ice Festival was opened in Urumqi's Red Hill Park, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday. Local officials hope this year's festival can boast tourism industry in Xinjiang.

(Chinanews.cn December 22, 2006)