The 9th Asian Winter Games officially kicked off in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, marking a significant milestone for the region's booming ice and snow economy. From the excitement of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games to the vibrant festivities in Harbin, the nation's passion for winter sports is soaring, injecting new energy into the global winter sports scene.
Known as China's \"Ice City,\" Harbin is celebrated for its stunning ice sculptures and lively winter festivities, drawing millions of visitors each year. The Harbin Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau reports a remarkable 21.3% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals since the opening of the Harbin Ice and Snow World.
In 2024 alone, Harbin welcomed a record-breaking 179 million visitors, generating an impressive 231.42 billion yuan ($31.75 billion) in tourism revenue, both figures reflecting over a 30% growth compared to the previous year. From December 2024 to February 2025, visitor numbers are expected to rise by an additional 15%. Domestic flight bookings to Harbin have surged by more than 20%, while hotel reservations have skyrocketed nearly 60%.
A major highlight this season is the Harbin Ice-Snow World, a Guinness World Record holder for the world's largest ice and snow theme park. This year, the park is featuring intricate ice sculptures inspired by iconic landmarks from 42 countries and three regions of the Olympic Council of Asia. Since reopening 47 days ago for the 2024-2025 winter season, the park has welcomed over 2.7 million visitors, including a single-day high of more than 100,000 entries on February 1.
As the games unfold, Harbin continues to solidify its reputation as a premier destination for winter enthusiasts, offering breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences for visitors from around the globe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
