The Final Frontier

Chinese tourists are a common sight in almost every continent of the world, and their eagerness to explore new and different destinations is now taking some of them literally to the final frontier of travel — the frozen continent of Antarctica. The global tourism industry is hoping to cash in on Chinese tourists' well-known wanderlust to help tap the potential of this land at the world's end with its pristine glaciers and distinctive wildlife. But if you fancy spending your next vacation in Antarctica, be prepared to pay a hefty price for the privilege. "The trip costs at least 100,000 yuan ($13,900) per person," said Li Peng, travel portal Tuniu's director for long-distance outbound trips. This is the most popular choice among the travel portal's Antarctic offerings, explained Li, adding that it is a 17-day trip combining travel to Argentina and the icebound continent, with departures in December and next February. Tuniu also offers a monthlong trip to South America and Antarctica in late October, with room prices reaching 350,000 yuan per person so far, he added. "The cruise trip to the frozen continent is usually on presale one year before the departure date and customers holding US tourist visas…