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It's time for the Chinese Spring Festival again, and most people are flocking back to their hometowns to spend the festive season with their families. But not all of them. Some people prefer to travel to holiday destinations to spend the Lunar New Year there. Some people who live in northern China prefer to ring in the New Year in the warm sunshine. So many Beijing citizens head for the southernmost island province of Hainan, in spite of the soaring prices.

With many people wanting to go on holidays during the Spring Festival, various travel services across the country have been busily ¨C and happily - dealing with an increasing number of travel applications.

Liu Hongna works for the Xintai Travel Service.

"Most of our clients at this time of the year are heading for the southern domestic destinations. Hainan Island is particularly popular."

It is reported that the price of joining Hainan tourist groups has risen to about five thousand yuan, but it has not discouraged holidaymakers from looking for a warm Spring Festival holiday. Ticket prices have risen by nearly 30 percent but tourists don't seem to be bothered and many have already booked Hainan tours.

45-year-old Yang Chunmei is packing her bags to board a plane for the southernmost province of Hainan.

"The Spring Festival is meant to be celebrated with the family, so we decided we'll all go to Hainan to spend it in the sun. We were born and live in the northern part of the country, and winter is always cold. We want to spend this winter in the heavenly province of Hainan. I'll travel there with my husband and daughter but if any of our friends or relatives want to join in, that'll be even better! I think this is a good chance for people to get closer."

Spring Festival is one of the most important occasions in China for family reunions. So although many people have decided to spend the holiday away from home, they will bring their families with them. Therefore, a majority of people choose self-catering travel, which is more convenient for family, though much more expensive.

But things are not so hot in Guangdong, as many people have cancelled their tours to the area in fear of a possible outbreak of SARS and bird flu.