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Canada is well-known to Chinese, many of whom emigrated to the country's biggest cities of Toronto and Vancouver over the past century. In Yellowknife, Verda Law and other family members originally from Hong Kong operate a tour agency that caters to Chinese visitors - offering guides who speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Chinese food is available, and outfitters can offer winter gear and instruction for skiing, ice-fishing and other winter activities.

"Almost 300,000 Chinese tourists came to Canada last year," says Galpin, noting that the number has grown rapidly since the country won Approved Destination Status from the Chinese government in 2010. Tourism officials expect about 340,000 Chinese visitors this year, he says.

"Many of them will be experienced travelers who know destinations like Toronto and Vancouver very well," he says. "Niagara Falls near Toronto is an amazing sight, very different in summer and winter, but the Northwest Territories has the tallest waterfall in Canada - Victoria Falls - and no crowds. Maybe 1,000 people went there last year.

"So if people are looking for something new, especially independent travelers and people coming in small groups with friends and family, places like the Northwest Territories offer a great variety of experiences."