In the heart of Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, trucks laden with colossal ice blocks make their way through the freshly fallen snow to the Harbin Ice-Snow World site. These blocks, preserved from last winter, will soon be transformed into breathtaking sculptures for the 26th edition of the iconic Harbin Ice-Snow World, set to open in mid-December.
This highly anticipated event heralds the return of one of China’s most renowned winter theme parks, poised to welcome millions of visitors and significantly bolster the region’s winter tourism industry.
According to Yang Liu of Harbin Ice and Snow World Park Co., Ltd., the ice blocks undergo rigorous inspections for thickness, length, and cleanliness to ensure the high quality of the ice-construction landscape. More than 10,000 construction workers and nearly 1,000 pieces of mechanical equipment will be deployed for the park’s creation.
This year’s edition promises major enhancements, including a large-scale upgrade that is expected to secure another Guinness World Record for the park as the largest ice-and-snow theme park globally. The park will expand its footprint from 810,000 square metres to a staggering 1 million square metres, with the volume of ice and snow increasing to 300,000 cubic metres, making it even more spectacular than before.
Sun Zemin, deputy director of sales and marketing at Harbin Ice-Snow World Park Co., Ltd., highlighted that the number of ice slides will rise from 16 to 24, providing even more excitement for visitors. He also revealed that this year’s sculptures and snow constructions will incorporate elements inspired by the 2025 Asian Winter Games, adding a fresh and unique dimension to the park.
Harbin: The “Ice City” at the Centre of Winter Tourism
Known as the “Ice City,” Harbin has gained widespread attention on social media for its impressive ice-and-snow resources and vibrant winter tourism scene. Last year, Harbin Ice-Snow World attracted over 2.7 million visitors with its stunning sculptures and themed attractions.
The city has long prioritised investment in its winter resources, hosting events such as winter sports competitions and ice lantern festivals, transforming its natural assets into a thriving economy. Harbin remains a vital economic hub in northeast China and a key indicator of the nation’s flourishing ice-and-snow industry.
Expanding Heilongjiang’s Winter Tourism Offerings
Beyond Harbin, Mudanjiang’s “Snow Town,” located around 280 kilometres from Harbin, has become a must-visit destination for winter travellers. Known for its lengthy winter season and distinctive mushroom-shaped snow formations, Snow Town drew over 500,000 visitors last year. This season, the destination has expanded its offerings with a new forest pathway, a riverside commercial street, snow marathons, and outdoor disco-dancing competitions, providing a diverse range of activities for visitors.
Meanwhile, Yabuli Ski Resort, one of China’s premier ski destinations, is preparing for the Asian Winter Games with significant upgrades to its slopes, dining facilities, and infrastructure. The resort, which features over 50 ski trails catering to all skill levels, will also introduce new attractions such as alpine snow circles, snow carnivals, and night skiing. Yang Xiaodong, head of the Yabuli administrative committee’s culture and tourism department, emphasised plans to collaborate with other destinations to create “golden” ice-and-snow tourism routes.
Boosting Heilongjiang’s Ice-and-Snow Economy
The peak winter tourism season in Heilongjiang will coincide with the 9th Asian Winter Games, a development expected to fuel further interest in winter sports and tourism. Qi Bin, deputy director of Heilongjiang’s provincial department of culture and tourism, highlighted the province’s commitment to supporting the ice-and-snow economy and generating opportunities for local growth.
The surge in winter tourism in Heilongjiang reflects a broader national trend in China’s booming ice-and-snow industry. Experts credit the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with sparking widespread enthusiasm for winter sports and tourism. China’s ambitious plan to develop its ice-and-snow economy aims to position winter sports, tourism, and equipment manufacturing as key drivers of economic growth, with a target value of 1.5 trillion yuan (approximately £171 billion) by 2030.
