Application of UTCI in China from tourism perspective

This study uses ERA-Interim reanalysis data and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to investigate the spatial pattern of thermal bioclimatic conditions in China. Our results show that the annual UTCI increases with decreasing latitude throughout most of China. Areas that experience no thermal stress are located southeast of the line formed by the Yanshan Mountains, Taihang Mountains, the southern edge of the Loess Plateau, and the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an area of 312.83e(4) km(2). During spring and autumn, the UTCI distribution is similar to the annual distribution. During summer, areas with no thermal stress cover the largest area (563.55e(4) km(2)), including northern and southwestern China; in contrast, during winter, areas with no thermal stress only occur south of the Nanling Mountains. The annual number of days with no thermal stress increases from north to south in central and eastern China, exceeding 200 days in the Sichuan Basin, the southeastern coastal regions and the Yungui Plateau. The minimum and maximum values occur on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (<= 10 days) and the southern Yungui Plateau (> 280 days). Seasonal analysis indicates that there are over 70 days with no thermal stress in the Sichuan Basin, the Yungui Plateau and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during spring and autumn, while there are more than 80 days in northern and southwestern China during summer and over 80 days in areas south of the Nanling Mountains during winter. The results of this study can be helpful for optimization of the tourism industry and tourism destinations development in China.