As winter brings colder temperatures, the ice and snow economy is flourishing across various regions in China, with Qinghai Province in northwest China launching its tourism activities on Friday to welcome visitors looking to enjoy the winter wonderland.
The 2024-2025 Qinghai winter-spring tourism series opened at the magnificent Gangshika snow peak, the highest point in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains.
The event features 15 activities, including ice sculpture displays and horse racing, blending the natural beauty of the region with local culture. Local authorities have also set up wildlife observation points, offering tourists an immersive experience.
Running through May 2025, the event is expected to further stimulate the tourism market that has been boosted by consumption coupons and free tickets issued by Qinghai Province.
Endowed with its abundant ice and snow resources, Qinghai takes full advantage of its snow-capped mountains to attract ice and snow sports enthusiasts who enjoy skiing and climbing.
At over 5,000 meters in altitude, the Gangshika snow peak is a popular destination for mountaineers, offering various climbing routes.
"Gangshika snow peak is incredibly charming, and it's a place where people are amazed by the artistry of nature and its endless changes. It's also a place where we can challenge ourselves and push our limits," said Han Bin, a climbing enthusiast.
The perpetual snow on the peak also makes it a natural ski resort, drawing 60 ski athletes to enjoy the untouched snow.
"Skiing on this mountain is an exhilarating experience. I was stunned by the fairyland-like scenery," said Xia Lina, an alpine skiing team leader from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
Data shows that over 13,000 tourists have climbed to the top of the mountain since June of this year. This booming ice and snow tourism economy has also provided tangible benefits to 160 locals by increasing their incomes.
From an aerial view, one can take in the full majesty of this stunning mountain with the snow-covered slopes creating a breathtaking sight. The gorgeous scenery also attracts numerous tourists to enjoy the beauty of the sky.
"We're from Xi'ning City, and this visit feels different from before. There are new amusement facilities, ski resorts, and racecourses. We skied and felt very excited. The mountain made us feel relaxed, and we're in a beautiful mood," said Lei Liya, a tourist.
Qinghai's winter tourism thrives at Gangshika snow peak
Springtime flower-viewing tours are emerging as a major attraction across China ahead of this year's Qingming Festival, with cities and rural destinations rolling out cultural performances, interactive travel services and countryside experiences to lure visitors and boost the tourism economy.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
In north China's Tianjin Municipality, both locals and tourists from other parts of the country have gathered for a begonia flower festival, running from Saturday to April 12, which features 123 performances throughout the event.
At the city's well-known Wudadao historical urban area, or the Five Great Avenues, begonia blossoms are now in full bloom, while newly launched sightseeing carriages have added a fresh highlight, bringing in a larger influx of visitors ahead of the holiday.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, nearly 200 local businesses have decorated their storefronts in a festival theme.
Tianjin has also introduced new efforts to integrate culture, tourism and commerce. A locally developed mini-program as well as multiple interactive games combine festival schedules, guided maps, recommended routes and discount coupons, allowing tourists to access services and unlock surprises during their visits.
During last year's three-day Qingming holiday, the festival helped major scenic spots and commercial areas in the city's Heping District receive more than 3 million visits, generating over 800 million yuan (about 116 million U.S. dollars) in combined tourism-related revenue.
This year, local authorities expect both visitor numbers and overall revenue to rise even further.
Similar momentum is also being seen in central China's Hunan Province. In Xiangfeng Village in Changsha City, rapeseed flowers are now in full bloom, drawing crowds of holiday travelers and turning the village into a popular flower-viewing destination on the outskirts of the provincial capital ahead of Qingming.
The village has developed more than 10 featured courtyard-style businesses, including teahouses, eco-farms, yoga courses and rural art centers.
These venues cover a wide range of services such as dining, team-building, wellness, art education and camping, helping build a diversified rural industry that combines agricultural tourism, wellness tourism and commercial tourism.
In the first quarter of this year alone, the village received about 120,000 tourist visits, generating 4.8 million yuan (around 698,000 U.S. dollars) in tourism income.
The growing courtyard economy has helped turn natural scenery into real economic gain, creating jobs for villagers and providing them with a steady increase in income.
In east China's Anhui Province, spring blossoms are also bringing a boost to rural tourism.
On the shores of Jianshan Lake in Chaohu, Hefei City, blooming peach flowers and rapeseed flowers have attracted large numbers of tourists in recent days.
Jianshan Lake, a reservoir covering over 50 hectares, has also become a hub for both professional and recreational water activities.
While trained athletes practice motorboat events on the lake, ordinary visitors can also enjoy boat rides and go-kart-style watercraft experiences.
The area has further enriched its tourism offerings with camping zones, a pet-themed park and fruit-picking gardens, providing a wider range of activities for holiday travelers.
The integrated development of agriculture, culture and tourism has also created new employment opportunities for local residents, enabling more villagers to find jobs closer to home and improve their incomes as the spring tourism season gains pace.
Tourism, culture, commerce blend across China during Qingming Festival holiday
