Polar magic

Many Chinese tourists choose to travel to the South Pole to enjoy a different vacation. [Photo provided to China Daily]

There are many other highlights that make the polar area magical.

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is home to cutting-edge equipment for Antarctic research and a paradise for science fans. The century-old Ernest Shackleton's Hut at Cape Royds enables tourists to watch legions of Adelie penguins. Travelers can also see a large number of whaling ship remains at the Paradise Harbor, and enjoy watching glaciers sloughing off ice with a loud crack if they ascend the mountain top. Deception Island offers geothermal water, and tourists can play in the hot spring in a world of ice and snow, according to publicist Yang.

"We will teach tourists how to appreciate the polar area," says Du, "and follow the requirements of international conventions, such as no littering and no touching of local plants and animals."

Although it's become easier for people to visit the Antarctic, the special status of the polar area means it won't become a mass market for tourists.

"There are some international conventions in place for local environmental and biological protection, and they have imposed certain restrictions on human activities and behavior," says Zhang Guangrui, honorary director of the Tourism Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

It takes more than 30 hours to travel from Beijing to the Antarctic, and it generally costs around 120,000 yuan ($19,309) for each tourist to tour the polar area. The luxury trip offered by HH Travel fetched a price of more than 200,000 yuan.

"We offer business-class flights, a world-class Silversea Cruises experience, sumptuous meals that could equal those prepared by a Michelin chef, and professional service from experts on board, which will help tourists better explore the polar area," adds Yang.