Harbin ready to make tourists feel at home during 2025 Asian Winter Games

The upcoming ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games, which will get underway on February 7, has infused new energy into the local economy in the host city of Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, in tourism and other industries.

From the Harbin Taiping International Airport to the city's downtown area, symbols of the Asian Winter Games are on display pretty much everywhere. On the busy Central Street, one of Harbin's arterial roads, stands a huge flagship Asian Winter Games official store that covers an area of 2,000 square meters, big enough to welcome more than 800 shoppers at the same time.

Approximately 1,500 types of products representing 21 different categories, including mascot figurines, decorations, backpacks and clothes, are available for customers to peruse and purchase. Items featuring the mascots of the Asian Winter Games, Siberian tigers Binbin and Nini, are among the biggest sellers.

Meanwhile, many local students have registered to work as volunteers for the Asian Winter Games. Their duties include providing assistance in areas ranging from traffic guidance and mobile phone charging, to distributing hot water and hand warmers to tourists.

Some of the volunteers who spoke to the China Media Group (CMG) said they are happy to help make life more comfortable and convenient for visitors to Harbin, as their contribution to the Asian Winter Games, while also getting a chance to enjoy memorable experiences.