An increasing number of tourists are flocking to ski resorts in China's cold wintry north, as the country's ice and snow tourism market keeps rolling out various sports services and entertainment programs to meet the growing demand.
In Wu'an County of north China's Hebei Province, ski resorts are benefiting from an integrated winter tourism industry on the basis of local geographical and cultural resources, to attract visitors who also have interest in trying ski for the first time in their life.
A scenic spot right near the foot of Taihang Mountains is seeing 30 percent more tourists coming to try ice sports, as compared with the same period of last year.
"I learned from online posts that there are lots of interesting ice and snow events here in Wu'an. So, I've come with my friends, and we've had an exciting and amazing experience here," said Zhang Ziyao, a tourist.
For first-time skiers, this winter gives them an opportunity to break out of the beginners' zone. In Shanyin County of north China's Shanxi Province, a beginner skier who tried slide-down on an icy slope said the sport is not as difficult as she imagined.
"I'm from Taiyuan City and I just had my second skiing lesson. In terms of how I feel, I found skiing to be difficult, but now I'm getting the hang of it and enjoying it," she said.
Ski resorts welcome surging number of first-time visitors amid winter tourism boom
A congestion pricing plan covering Lower and Midtown Manhattan in New York took effect on Sunday, making the New York City the first U.S. city to implement such a plan.
Vehicles will be tolled once a day for entering the congestion relief zone with the amount depending on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment with discounts and exemptions applicable to certain drivers or vehicles, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said in a statement posted on the official website.
During rush hours, namely 05:00 to 21:00, on weekdays, cars and light commercial vehicles will be charged 9 U.S. dollars. The fee will drop to 2.25 U.S. dollars during regular time period.
For New York City taxis and rideshare vehicles that either enter, exit, or travel within the congestion zone, the fare will be passed on to passengers, ranging from 0.75 to 1.50 U.S. dollars. The plan also offers discounts for low-income drivers, while vehicles for individuals with disabilities, emergency vehicles, buses, and certain government vehicles will be exempt from the fee.
The tolls would be adjusted upward in 2028 and 2031 as regulators phase out 40 percent of discounts offered at the beginning.
It is estimated that the congestion pricing plan would drive down the number of vehicles entering the congestion relief zone by 10 percent. The MTA is expected to add one billion U.S. dollars of revenues each year to fund its capital spending plan of as much as 15 billion U.S. dollars, according to the MTA statement.
New York imposes first ever congestion pricing plan in U.S.
