More Chinese attracted to world's white wildernesses

Endless snow and glaciers, untouched coastlines and the thrill of following in the footsteps of renowned explorers are luring more Chinese to polar trips.

A total of 3,367 Chinese visited the South Pole from November to March, comprising about 9 percent of the total number to the continent and ranking third after visitors from the United States and Australia, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

Chinese travelers to Antarctica comprised only 0.2 percent of the total 10 years ago, the association said. The travel season to the continent runs from November to March.