Opening Words

It was absolutely stunning! Just returned from an ice and snow journey across the country, and my social media is blowing up! From the ice city of Harbin in the north to indoor ski resorts in the south, the experience was mind-blowing. I must say, domestic ice and snow tourism has become incredibly impressive, completely overturning my previous perceptions. As someone who has experienced it deeply, I want to share these amazing activities with everyone!

Northern Scenery

When it comes to ice and snow tourism, the top choice is naturally Harbin's Ice and Snow World in the Northeast! This year's scale left me stunned, with significant expansions from last year. Data shows that Harbin's tourism revenue soared last year, breaking historical records. This year is even more dramatic, with flight and hotel bookings up over 50% compared to last year, also boosting nearby cities like Yichun and Qiqihar.

Ice and Snow World is absolutely incredible this year! The massive ice castle complex completely transports you to a fairy tale world, and the evening light show is breathtakingly beautiful. I took at least 100 photos there, and they went viral on social media! Beyond ice sculptures, they've added many interactive attractions this year, like VR ice experiences and ice karting - I couldn't stop playing.

The Ice and Snow World on Songhua River is definitely the peak of ice tourism, but Harbin's wonders don't stop there. The Russian-style architecture on Central Street looks unreal against the snow, and the Russian cuisine and Modern Ice Cream are irresistible. The snow sculptures at Sun Island Snow Expo are a perfect blend of nature and art, with each sculpture being a photographer's paradise.

For skiing, Yabuli Ski Resort is absolutely top-tier. They opened several new advanced trails this year - a paradise for ski enthusiasts. But beginners shouldn't worry, as the beginner slopes are very user-friendly and the instructors are super professional. I learned skiing here and could handle beginner slopes after just three days.

Nearby Yichun and Qiqihar are also hidden gems. Yichun's pristine forests are incredibly beautiful in winter. Especially riding the forest snow train through the snow-covered woods feels like entering a fairy tale. At Qiqihar's Zhalong Nature Reserve, you can see rare red-crowned cranes dancing in the snow - the scene is spectacular.

Southern Breakthrough

Don't think ice and snow tourism is only fun in the north! Southern ice and snow attractions are quite hardcore now. Take Wuhan for example - their new indoor ski resort is a technological marvel, earning over 20 million yuan in its first month of operation - those numbers are incredible!

I tried it myself, and honestly, it completely changed my perception of indoor ski resorts. The venue is huge with great snow quality, feeling just like outdoors. Most importantly, it maintains constant temperature year-round, so weather isn't a concern. They've also introduced the latest simulation training systems, which are very beginner-friendly.

Not just Wuhan, but indoor ski resorts in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu are also amazing. Especially Guangzhou's Sunac Snow World, which recreates a Nordic town feeling - experiencing sub-zero temperatures in 30-degree Guangzhou is quite the contrast!

Sanya has also created an indoor ice and snow world - experiencing winter sports in tropical Hainan creates an amazing contrast! Most amazingly, many Southeast Asian tourists come specifically for this attraction, with many seeing snow for the first time.

Booming Market

The booming ice and snow tourism is evident in the numbers! "Skiing" related searches on Ctrip increased by 50%, with domestic ski resort bookings up about 20% year-on-year. Harbin hotels are even more dramatic, with bookings surging over 50%, and this month's search volume soaring 300% month-on-month!

The boom isn't just in the data - you can feel it on the ground. When I visited Harbin, the airport and train stations were packed with tourists, and attractions were crowded. Especially on weekends, ski resorts are absolutely packed, and good hotels need to be booked a month in advance.

Major travel platforms are constantly launching new ice and snow themed products, from simple skiing to combined ice and hot spring experiences, to in-depth ice culture tours. Many attractions have developed night programs - the ice world with spectacular light shows at night is absolutely beautiful.

Consumer Groups

The main force in ice and snow tourism is definitely us post-90s and post-00s generations! Data shows that the post-90s generation especially loves skiing, often going on spontaneous ski trips with friends. The post-80s generation prefers family experiences, particularly bringing children to experience the charm of ice and snow.

These differences are quite interesting. Post-90s and post-00s focus more on sports experiences and social sharing, preferring to try challenging ski activities and share cool videos on social media. The post-80s generation emphasizes family interaction and children's education, choosing ice and snow activities suitable for the whole family.

I think this might be related to lifestyle differences. Post-90s and post-00s mostly face high work pressure and need exciting sports to release stress. Post-80s are mostly parents now and focus more on family life quality. However, regardless of age group, everyone's enthusiasm for ice and snow tourism is quite high.

Particularly interesting is how many young people use skiing as a social activity. You often see young people teaching each other, filming videos, and enjoying ski resort food together. Some even meet their significant others at ski resorts - how romantic is that!

Featured Routes

The 12 premium ice and snow tourism routes recently released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are absolute treasure guides! These routes cover Beijing, Chongqing, Sichuan, the three Northeast provinces, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang, with each route carefully designed to connect the best local attractions.

For example, the Northeast route includes not only popular spots like Harbin's Ice and Snow World and Yabuli Ski Resort but also many lesser-known attractions. Places like the rime spectacle on Rime Island, the fairy tale world of Snow Village, and the ice waterfall at Mirror Lake are all breathtakingly beautiful.

The Xinjiang route is particularly unique, perfectly combining skiing with ethnic culture. At the Silk Road Mountain Resort, you can experience high-quality skiing while experiencing Uyghur folk culture and authentic Xinjiang cuisine. The evening bonfire parties are especially lively with singing and dancing!

Beijing's route cleverly combines Winter Olympics venues with cultural attractions. You can ski in Zhangjiakou, experience Olympic tracks, and visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City to feel the depth of historical culture. The Winter Olympics venue in Yanqing particularly preserves many Olympic elements, making you feel like you're back at the Games.

Most surprising was the Sichuan route, perfectly combining ice and snow with hot springs. Skiing at 4000+ meters on Mount Gongga, then soaking in hot springs while stargazing at night - what an amazing contrast! Plus you can see spectacular natural scenery like snow mountains, glaciers, and Red Stone Park along the way.

Innovative Activities

Ice and snow tourism is getting more creative than ever! It's no longer just skiing and ice sculptures. Like the "ice and snow hot springs" dual experience in Shimian County, Sichuan - skiing during the day and soaking in hot springs under the stars at night - what an amazing contrast!

Many attractions have incorporated high-tech elements. Like VR ski simulators allowing beginners to safely experience advanced trails. There's also smart protective equipment that monitors speed and posture in real-time to help improve technique. Some attractions have even developed AR guide systems to learn about each attraction's history and culture through your phone.

Night activities are also a major innovation. Many ski resorts offer night skiing with cool lighting effects, creating a completely different experience. Especially on full moon nights, gliding through the pristine snow is incredibly romantic!

Some places perfectly combine ice and snow with cuisine. Like Harbin's ice house hotpot - eating steaming hotpot in a sub-zero ice house creates an interesting contrast. There are also snow BBQ and ice sculpture restaurants, making dining experiences more interesting.

Family activities are another highlight. Many attractions have dedicated children's snow areas with interactive activities like snow treasure hunts and snowman building competitions. Some places even have cartoon characters interacting with children in the snow - it's truly a children's paradise.

International Perspective

With China's recent visa-free policy for 38 countries, international tourists are now flocking to China's ice and snow attractions! Especially the Silk Road Mountain Resort in Xinjiang, which has attracted many Japanese tourists. They can experience high-quality skiing while experiencing unique Xinjiang culture - getting two experiences in one.

I met many foreign tourists in Harbin who were very interested in Chinese ice and snow culture. They were particularly amazed by the ice sculpture art at Ice and Snow World, saying it was the most impressive ice art they'd ever seen.

Interestingly, many Southeast Asian tourists come specifically for indoor ski resorts. Since their countries are hot year-round, they never have the chance to experience winter sports. At China's indoor ski resorts, they can safely experience skiing with professional instruction.

The arrival of international tourists has also promoted cultural exchange. In Xinjiang, for example, foreign tourists can not only ski but also participate in local ethnic festivals, taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine, and learn about Silk Road history and culture. This kind of deep cultural experience is particularly popular.

Future Outlook

Honestly, China's ice and snow tourism has huge development potential! The South is developing indoor ice and snow facilities so everyone nationwide can experience winter sports anytime. The North continues to deepen traditional advantages and develop more special activities. Combined with technology empowerment and cultural integration, future activities will surely be more diverse.

I think future ice and snow tourism will focus more on personalized experiences. Like designing exclusive routes for skiers of different levels and developing more special activities. VR technology application will make experiences more immersive, and AR guides will make cultural experiences more vivid.

We can expect more people to participate in winter sports as transportation and supporting facilities improve. Especially Southern indoor ski resorts make winter sports no longer limited by season or location, which is particularly important for promoting winter sports.

Most importantly, ice and snow tourism isn't just a sport, but a lifestyle. It lets us find joy in busy lives, feel warmth in cold winters, and find romance in the snow. The future of ice and snow tourism will surely bring us more surprises!