(Yicai Global) Sept. 23 -- Chinese travelers have not significantly increased their bookings of trips to the Great Wall station, China's first research base in Antarctica, after the nation's natural resources ministry loosened regulation regarding visiting hours.

Many Chinese travel agencies, including Mafengwo and Ctrip.Com, received a rising number of inquiries since the ministry released its new application guide for tourist activities at the Great Wall station but this did not result in a major increase in bookings, state-backed news outlet The Paper reported.

The new guide allows travel agencies to apply for slots to visit the station built in 1985 not only during weekends and holidays but also during weekdays. The interested agencies may apply for such permits each year from Sept. 15 to Sept. 30 and the results will be published in mid-October. The trips are usually organized from November to February and prices range between CNY50,000 (USD7,051) and CNY650,000 (USD91,637).

Editor: Emmi Laine