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E-mail Xinhua, February 24, 2024
by Sergio Gomez
HARBIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- As temperatures plummeted to minus 20 degrees Celsius, my nose and cheeks flushed with cold, and each exhale formed frosty clouds that clung to the edge of my cap. Despite the bitter cold, I joined a queue of tourists, enduring a two-hour wait to secure a prime spot near the stage. However, the freezing temperatures failed to dampen the spirits of the crowd, and amid the snow and ice, laughter and jubilant voices echoed.
On the eve of the Year of the Dragon, I, a Caribbean of tropical origin, embarked on a journey with tourists from southern China and arrived in the place I had dreamed of since childhood: the "ice city" of Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The warm hospitality and breathtaking sights of northern China exceeded all expectations, accompanied by bustling crowds and promising business prospects.
Beside the picturesque banks of the Songhua River, I witnessed over 10,000 people dancing to the rhythm of electronic music in a cultural spectacle that is part of Harbin Ice-Snow World and has gained immense popularity throughout China in recent times.
"Before, only a few dozen people came to see the musical show, but today, there are tens of thousands every day," said Jiang Kedong, who has become famous this winter for hosting performances at Harbin Ice-Snow World.
At midnight on Feb. 15, the winter attraction concluded its 61-day operations, having welcomed 2.71 million visitors. During this period, Jiang's online following surged from 570,000 to 3.5 million.
Harbin serves as a vital economic hub in northeast China and as a barometer of the nation's snow and ice industry. The city has long been investing in winter resources and hosting events such as winter sports games and ice lantern fairs, aiming to transform these resources into a thriving economy.
I witnessed the prosperity of Harbin during my visit. Central Avenue bustled with tourists day and night, attractions were fully booked weeks in advance and queues stretched for hours, reflecting the city's booming tourism industry.
Over the 2024 New Year holiday, Harbin set a record, attracting nearly 3.05 million visitors in three days and generating over 5.9 billion yuan (around 832 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue. During the Spring Festival holiday, the city welcomed more than 10.09 million visitors, an 81.7 percent year-on-year increase, and the tourism revenue totaled 16.42 billion yuan, a 235.4 percent year-on-year increase.
"Sales have increased tenfold compared to before," remarked a frozen fruit vendor on bustling Hongzhuan Street. "Tourists from the southern part of the country buy 50 or 100 kilograms and send them home by express," the vendor explained.
Zhang Fuli from south China's Guangdong Province chose to spend the Chinese Lunar New Year in Harbin with his family for the first time, drawn by the city's allure.
"It's almost impossible to see snow in Guangdong. In Harbin, we're captivated by the beauty of the ice and snow, and the rich natural resources of our homeland. This way of spending the Spring Festival holiday is really unforgettable," he shared.
Ali, a young Pakistani man, expressed his love for Heilongjiang and its culture. Despite relocating to Shenzhen in search of job opportunities, he returned to his former home of Harbin as a tourist this winter.
"I miss Harbin a lot, especially the winter scenery and the welcoming people. I love China and am excited to return to my second hometown," Ali said.
The surge in winter tourism in Harbin is emblematic of China's booming snow and ice industry. The vigorous development of the industry, which has engaged 300 million people in winter sports, has turned the vision China presented to host the Winter Olympics into a reality.
Official data indicates that China boasts nearly 2,000 ice rinks and snow resorts, with its snow and ice sports industry expected to reach a total production value of 1 trillion yuan by 2025.
Winter sports have become a popular leisure activity for many Chinese people. Liang Weijie, a resident of Harbin, spent the first day of the Year of the Dragon skiing at the Yabuli resort in Heilongjiang.
"We ski today to start the new year with better wishes, and besides that, the skiing experience is pleasant and fun," Liang said.
According to a report released by the China Tourism Academy, the number of people engaging in snow and ice leisure tourism across the country during the 2023-2024 winter season is expected to exceed 400 million for the first time, with anticipated revenue of 550 billion yuan.
The entire snow and ice industrial chain, encompassing equipment manufacturing, tourism and cultural activities, is experiencing rapid growth. The number of companies dedicated to snow and ice tourism in China has surpassed 12,000.
Previously considered a harsh burden for the local population, the long months of low temperatures in northeastern China have transformed the region into a powerful tourist attraction and growth engine.
Beyond the allure of famous ice sculptures and local cuisine, an increasing number of visitors from both home and abroad are drawn to Harbin for its cultural offerings and diverse array of winter activities.
On the bustling snow and ice tourism scene in Harbin, I experienced the vibrant economic dynamism of China first-hand. Enditem
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