On chinadaily.com.cn

Trend: Netizens favor paid online personas

A recent survey found that more than 51 percent of young people used paid services to embellish their online social accounts. The survey, conducted by China Youth Daily, interviewed 1,981 people ages 18 to 35(46.8 percent male and 53.2 percent female). The most popular paid service to enhance online social accounts, according to 40 percent of the respondents, was digitally altered pictures. Purchasing "premium access" on social networks, title authentication, purchasing a membership and posting customized content were also listed among the paid services. About 62 percent of the respondents expressed support for purchasing such services. Visit our website to find out more about the survey.

Travel: Guizhou looks to lure winter visitors

Southwest Guizhou province has rolled out discount travel packages to attract more tourists during the winter season. The packages, which are valid from Sunday to Feb 28, include 50 percent discounts on tickets to more than 200 class-A scenic spots and bargains for local specialties and products like Moutai liquor at 43 authorized retailers in airports, railway stations and tourist destinations. Guizhou was among Lonely Planet's top 10 regions to visit next year.

Education: University sets up sci-fi academy

A science fiction academy was set up on Sunday by Sichuan University in Chengdu, Sichuan province. It's the first research academy of its kind in the country, focusing on the development of science fiction both at home and abroad. According to Li Yi, dean of the school, the academy will cultivate a group of young and middle-aged researchers with expertise in the fields of scifi literature, films and communication. The school, together with the Science Fiction World magazine publisher, is expected to launch the China Science Fiction Review, the first sci-fi academic journal in China, early next year.