A group of 11 kids from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region sparked an online frenzy across Chinese social media while they were on a study tour to the snowy northeastern city of Harbin.

Nicknamed "little tangerines," the adorable pupils aged between 3 and 11 dressed in matching orange safety outfits caught the eye of Chinese netizens, who avidly followed their cute capers online.

Study tours and winter camps are in hot demand this winter for many Chinese parents who are increasingly willing to pay for education and travel. The phenomenon has also spurred a hot trend in the booming tourist market.

According to media reports, following the escapades of the "little tangerines," a number of similar study tour groups have set off from different locations to embark on trips to Harbin. Children from China's Yunnan, Ningxia and even Russia are swarming to the city accompanied by teachers to experience the charm of the ice and snow and experience the local culture.

The trend also echoes an ancient Chinese proverb "Traveling a thousand miles is better than reading a thousand books."

As well as offering travel and sightseeing, study tours provide children with the chance to learn life skills such as self-care, interacting with new people, and looking after their peers. Placed in diverse environments, children are also exposed to unfamiliar conditions where they can nurture the qualities of confidence, courage, independence and collaboration.