Scenic spots in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China played host to 250,400 tourists from other parts of China in the weeklong Spring Festival period ending Feb. 4, up 21 percent over the figure of last year's same period.

The region posted 124 million yuan (US$15.5 million) in tourist revenue during the holiday season, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.7 percent.

Located in a frigid region, Xinjiang hosted snow and ice festivals in some cities and opened ski courses to cater to tourists' needs.

The region's tourist market has maintained good order and received no serious complaints, according to the regional tourism administration.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)