Where rich families frolic

China's leading travel agency ranks last year's overseas destinations for affluent families. Yang Feiyue reports.

Now we know where China's rich go.

Travel agency Ctrip's high-end brand, HHtravel, recently released its list of 2016's top winter destinations for high-end families.

Most travel for their children's benefit. Parents want their kids to see the world while bonding, the agency reports.

Japan, Finland and Thailand respectively occupy the top slots.

China's island-nation neighbor has grown increasingly popular with Chinese visitors for its skiing, shopping and cuisine.

Its offerings cater to all generations.

Tomamu resort, one of the country's most celebrated, is extremely popular among affluent visitors.

They ply Hokkaido's ski slopes, which are carpeted with special snow that's ideal for skiing. Chinese-speaking coaches are available.

Theme parks, including Disneyland, Legoland and Hello Kitty Park, also lure well-heeled Chinese.

They also enjoy Mount Fuji's scenery while soaking in hot springs.

Thailand has always been a hot spot for Chinese because of its proximity, blue skies and white beaches.

The country's fourth biggest island, Koh Kood, has become a magnet for rich Chinese seeking to dodge crowds.

It's a relatively undeveloped yet Eden-like paradise.

Visitors can enjoy private villas with pools, ocean views and 24-hour butler services.

Tree houses offer special breakfasts.

Many wealthy Chinese traveled further afield over the recent Spring Festival holiday.

They hunted in Kenya and rode icebreakers through polar regions.

Some travelers' spending exceeded 500,000 yuan ($72,800) apiece.

HHtravel has witnessed a significant increase in Chinese visitors to Finland. They go to view the wintertime aurora.

The country's Lapland offers "northern lights" views more than 200 days a year. Visitors can stay in hotel rooms with glass ceilings.

The Arctic Circle's official Santa hometown, Rovaniemi, also hosts a theme park. Visitors ice fish, snowmobile and hop aboard reindeer-drawn sleighs.

Australia's appeal is arguably due to its 10-year multi-entry visa agreement and seasonal inversion with China.

Nearly 5 percent of HHtravel's customers opted for the destination during China's winter, when summer Down Under proffers golden sunshine, green parks and blue waters that lap beaches of various shades.

The century-old Taronga night safari offers children nocturnal encounters with animals.

Hiking at the Greater Blue Mountains Area conjures a different kind of nature immersion.

Roughly 5 percent of the agency's clients visited South Africa.

Chinese arrivals increased by over 60 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year, the country's statistics authority reports.

Visitors enjoy warm spring and summer weather during Chinese winter.

They view lions, black rhinos and leopards at Kruger National Park.

Thousands of seals flop atop rocks in Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

Dubai's Atlantis hotel's Underwater World and Ferrari World are popular with kids. Its Burj Al Arab Hotel offers luxury for all age groups.

Wealthy Chinese enjoy traveling to the United States to enjoy its natural wonders and educational facilities. They explore beaches, theme parks, zoos and museums. Many visit prestigious universities to explore their aspirations for their children to study abroad.

New Zealand's appeal hails from stunning topography, pure skies and its role as the setting of the hit Chinese reality show, Dad, Where Are We Going?

Otherworldly national parks and pristine ecology attract well-to-do Chinese to Canada and Fiji.

Improved incomes, transportation and information technology have expanded outbound travel.

Chinese tourists enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 60 countries and regions.

About 6.15 million people traveled outside the Chinese mainland during the Spring Festival holiday that ended on Feb 3, up 7 percent over last year, according to a report by the China National Tourism Administration.

Domestic scenic spots received 344 million visits during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, up 13.8 percent over last year, according to the China National Tourism Administration. Tourism income stood at 423.3 billion yuan, up 15.9 percent.

A clear trend is that more people are willing to spend for better service and experiences.

This tendency seems likely to extend into the coming year, and perhaps beyond.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn

Hokkaido's Tomamu resort, a high-class ski resort in central Hokkaido, Japan, with a large selection of trails and entertainment options on ice and snow, is extremely popular among affluent Chinese visitors. Photos Provided To China Daily