How China's ice and snow tourism brings winter fun to the world

Min Rui is a commentator on cultural affairs. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

When night falls over Harbin Ice and Snow World, towering ice sculptures glow in dazzling lights, casting colors across the snow-covered grounds. Visitors glide down 500-meter ice slides, laughter and cheers mixing with the thumping disco music, while steam rises from cups of hot beverages and the frosty air sparkles under the lights. The park is alive with movement, sound, and color, a winter playground in full swing.

Families, friends, and solo travelers from across China and around the world –from Russia, and Europe to Latin America and tropical South Asia –fill the park with excitement. They race down slides, pose beside glittering sculptures, and join in with games on the ice, creating a lively, joyful scene where winter fun becomes a shared experience.

Harbin has become more than a winter destination. This past New Year's Eve, CNN chose Harbin Ice and Snow World as one of its international broadcast locations, linking live to reporters on site to share China's dazzling winter spectacle with audiences around the globe. The message was clear: China's ice and snow tourism is capturing attention worldwide.

A winter culture in full swing

In northeastern China, old winter habits are melting away with the hot trend of winter tourism. Once, locals joked about "mao dong," hunkering down indoors like cats to escape the cold winter. Today, the scene is completely different.

In cities like Harbin and Shenyang, even when temperatures drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), snowfields and ice rinks are alive with people. Public squares and shopping streets bustle well into the night. Locals and visitors alike skate, sled, and stroll through the snow, fully embracing winter as a season of energy, joy, and celebration.

Beijing's Shichahai is another shining example. With a history stretching back to imperial ice games centuries ago, the frozen lakes now welcome skaters of all ages, including many foreign visitors who glide across the ice enjoying a centuries-old tradition brought vibrantly into the modern day. Here, the fun of winter connects history, culture, and global curiosity.

Beyond the fun, a growing ice and snow economy

China's ice and snow boom is not just about sightseeing. It is powering a whole industry across China. Skiers and ice sports enthusiasts need specialized boots, skis, ice skates, protective gear, clothing and rental equipment, fueling manufacturing, retail and services. Snow parks require instructors, resort management and logistics, while hotels, transport and restaurants thrive on winter visitors.

In Hebei Province, new ski areas have appeared in recent years after Zhangjiakou hosted the 2022 Winter Olympic Games with Beijing together. Even in the far reaches of Xinjiang, nestled near the Tianshan Mountains, new snow parks are attracting winter adventurers seeking fresh slopes and experiences. This expansion demonstrates that ice and snow tourism is no longer a seasonal activity. It is an integrated winter economy spreading across northern China.

Culture on ice

Ice and snow tourism also brings culture to life. At Chagan Lake in Jilin Province, visitors witness winter fishing on the thick ice, trying their hand at age-old techniques alongside local fishermen. It is a participatory spectacle, blending heritage, teamwork and pure fun.

For international visitors, the experience goes beyond sightseeing. Russian tourists flock to Harbin for its scale and variety. Southeast Asians marvel at their first snow adventures. Europeans and Americans delight in discovering winter customs they have never encountered. In Beijing, foreigners joining the skating crowds on Shichahai feel the echoes of centuries of ice culture in every glide and spin.

From boom to balance

Rapid growth brings challenges. Some new ski areas and winter attractions still need to meet safety and service standards. Equipment rental, lessons, and resort management vary widely in quality.

Local tourism and market regulators are stepping in to strengthen oversight and raise industry standards, ensuring that winter tourism develops sustainably rather than peaking and fading after a single season.

Some have introduced free shuttle services to popular snow parks, set up warm beverage stations and resting areas to enhance visitor comfort, and closely monitor pricing to prevent overcharging during peak periods. These measures aim to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for both domestic and international visitors.

Future on the ice

China’s winter tourism story is not just about snow and ice. It is about joy, culture, and global connection. Across the country, winter has gone from something to endure to a season of fun, drawing growing international attention and turning cold landscapes into hotspots for celebration.

Today, ice and snow sports are no longer limited to professional athletes or a few northern cities. Across China, children and families now enjoy greater access to winter activities, with some regions introducing winter breaks to encourage students’ participation in skiing, skating, and other ice and snow sports. What was once a niche pursuit has become widely accessible, transforming winter sports into a truly nationwide movement.

Behind this transformation lies a broader shift. From China’s successful bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2015 to the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, participation in ice and snow sports surged to more than 300 million people, far exceeding the original goal of engaging 100 million.

When Siberian winds sweep across northern China, they carry more than frost. They carry laughter, fresh momentum for economic growth, and a renewed enthusiasm for winter that invites visitors from around the world to experience, enjoy, and come back for more.