On December 21, the winter tourism season in China officially began with the grand opening of the 26th edition of the iconic Harbin Ice-Snow World. This extraordinary destination attracts visitors from around the globe, eager to witness stunning ice sculptures and attractions that have made Harbin synonymous with winter wonderlands. Last year alone, over 2.7 million people visited, solidifying Harbin as China’s leading winter tourism hub.
The opening of Harbin Ice-Snow World signifies a milestone in China’s rapidly expanding winter economy, as the country embraces winter sports and tourism like never before. Excitement was palpable among tourists, like Zhong Xueying, who arrived days early, exclaiming, "I've been waiting for this moment! I can't wait to race down the Super Ice Slide." Visitors rushed to explore the park’s iconic attractions, eager to experience the thrills.
Recognized as the world's largest ice-and-snow theme park, Harbin Ice-Snow World has expanded to include 24 lanes for the Super Ice Slide, up from 16 last year. The 500-meter slide has become a viral sensation on Chinese social media, drawing thrill-seekers like Lin Jung-yu from Taiwan, who traveled specifically to try it out. "I saw videos of people gliding down the slide and knew I had to experience it for myself. It was the most thrilling minute I've ever had!" Lin shared.
As winter tourism continues to grow, Harbin is poised to become an essential stop for international tourists, especially with the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games on the horizon. In 2023, China recorded an impressive 385 million winter leisure visits, reflecting a 38 percent increase from the previous year. The growing appeal of winter tourism is evident, with Harbin alone recording over 87 million visitors last season, generating an astounding 124.8 billion yuan ($17.4 billion) in revenue.
Government initiatives have played a crucial role in the expansion of winter tourism, particularly in regions like Snow Town in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province. This fairy-tale destination, with its snowy landscapes and themed photo opportunities, has captured the hearts of tourists from across China. Zhang Yuying, a tourist from Guangdong province, described it as "stepping into a Snow White storybook" while taking photos dressed as a princess in front of snow sculptures.
Snow Town’s popularity has skyrocketed, attracting over 400,000 visitors in just one month this season. New attractions, including a forest pathway and a riverside commercial street, have been added, along with snow marathons and outdoor disco-dancing competitions for tourists. These offerings provide more fun and exciting activities for winter enthusiasts.
While attractions like snow sculptures and ice slides continue to draw crowds, skiing is also experiencing a surge in popularity. The Changbai Mountain Wanda International Resort in Jilin Province has seen significant growth, aided by seasonal shopping events like the "Double 11" and "Double 12" festivals, which offered discounts on ski-related products. Zhang Qian from Shandong province expressed her excitement: "I bought ski equipment and booking coupons during the shopping festivals and plan to return here for the Spring Festival."
Sales for winter equipment have surged, with a 200 percent increase in sales of down jackets, thermal wear, and skiing gear compared to last year. The Changbai Mountain Wanda Resort alone saw nearly 200 million yuan in sales during the Double 11 event, while online platforms reported a jump in bookings and inquiries about skiing tours and equipment.
These trends reflect a growing interest in winter sports as an alternative to traditional travel options. China has set ambitious goals for its winter sports industry, aiming for an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, aligning with national policies to foster ice and snow tourism as a key economic driver.
The growing popularity of winter tourism is not limited to northeast China. In Sichuan Province, tourists flock to the scenic area of Jiuzhaigou, captivated by its stunning blue lakes and snowy mountains. Li Xinru from Liaoning Province shared, "Seeing Jiuzhaigou in person was beyond expectations." To attract even more visitors, Sichuan Province has announced a 150 million yuan tourism package, including coupons for skiing and hot springs, available from December 2024 to March 2025.
International visitors are also discovering China's winter tourism offerings, such as Dambar Prasad Acharya from Nepal, who experienced skiing for the first time in Jilin. He praised China's world-class infrastructure and ski resorts, stating, "China has done an outstanding job developing winter sports, and the facilities are world-class."
As China continues to develop its winter economy, this sector plays a vital role in boosting national tourism and contributing to the country's economic growth. With a combination of government support, tourism promotions, and infrastructure development, the ice and snow tourism industry is set to expand significantly, offering visitors unforgettable experiences in both snow-covered mountains and vibrant cities.