Spectacular Scandinavia

Dogsledding is one of the winter attractions of Northern European countries. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Guests swill drinks in a bar fashioned from ice, and worship in an ice chapel.

It recently unveiled Icehotel 365－an ice hotel open all year.

Sweden began promoting "soft adventures" last year to offer such local experiences as lobster fishing along the western coastline.

The country opened 10 new visa centers in such Chinese cities as Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, this year.

Finland's Santa Claus Village in the serendipitously named Lapland region offers such activities as reindeer-drawn sleighs.

Visitors can also send postcards from the Santa Claus Main Post Office with special Arctic Circle stamps. The office also receives all letters sent to Santa－about 700,000 a year.

Visit Finland suggests travelers venture further outside of Helsinki to such regions as Lakeland in the summer.

Indeed, it seems Scandinavia isn't only attracting more Chinese visitors－but also those who hope to have more experiences in the region, especially in winter.

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn