Snow covers the Xuanquanzhi site, a world cultural heritage destination, in Dunhuang at the start of the new year. [Photo/China Daily]

Dunhuang announced eight new winter and spring tourism policies at a promotion event held in Lanzhou, Gansu province on Nov 27. 

The policies, covering ticket reductions, service upgrades, and additional flights, aim to boost the 2025-2026 winter and spring travel season.

The Xuanquanzhi site, a UNESCO heritage site, stood out at the event. Originally a Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) postal station, it offered unique winter and spring courses such as retracing ancient postal routes, practicing historical documents, and public lessons on postal culture. Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the transportation and communication innovations along the Silk Road from 2,000 years ago, making it an exciting new option for educational travel.

Dunhuang Shazhou Art Study Base also introduced a Dunhuang-themed XR educational program. Representatives from Dunhuang Mogao International Airport and other companies presented resources for exhibitions and educational travel, winter activities at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, Lanzhou-Dunhuang flights, and services including luggage transfer and airport shuttle connections. Promotional packages include half-price tickets at city-managed attractions and a 999 yuan ($140) Dunhuang flight and tour package.

The initiative used intercity coordination to attract more domestic visitors by offering deep desert study tours, intangible heritage experiences, and winter-specific activities. Officials stated that the program also promotes resource sharing, market collaboration, and joint branding, injecting strong momentum into Gansu’s winter and spring tourism market.