Ice and snow tourism is embracing the seasonal peak period across China, from outdoor ski resorts in the frigid north to indoor ice rinks in the country's warmer southern regions.
Vibrant winter tourism is thriving at China's northernmost ski resort, the Arctic Ski Resort in Mohe City of Heilongjiang Province. The ski resort is the country's highest-latitude outdoor ski destination with the longest natural snow season.
Nicknamed "China's Arctic Town," Mohe experiences only seven hours of daylight and about 17 hours of darkness around the winter solstice.
An ice and snow-themed park in the city has opened for visitors, transforming the area into a fairy-tale wonderland illuminated by dazzling lights. Bonfires in the snow and fireworks displays create a magical atmosphere, captivating visitors of all ages.
This year, the ski resort introduced night skiing for the first time, allowing visitors to enjoy the thrill of snow sports under the stars and colorful lighting.
"Skiing at night is a completely different experience from daytime. There are far fewer people, the lights here are brilliantly bright, and with the moon overhead, it feels like the moon is chasing you as you carve down the slope. It’s really cool," said Zou Chunmei, a visitor from east China's Zhejiang Province.
Beiji Village, or "the North Pole Village," in Mohe, is a riverside border settlement located in the Dahinggan Mountains at 53 degrees north latitude. The village is among the coldest places in China, with a meteorological record low of minus 52.3 degrees Celsius.
Visitors to the village can brave the biting cold while savoring traditional treats like tanghulu -- sugar-coated hawthorn berries on stick -- and sampling authentic ice cream.
In Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province, winter sports have also become a driving force for local tourism.
The Ganlu Mountain International Ski Resort, the largest indoor ski facility in central China, has kicked off the winter season with a lively winter party, marking the start of the local winter tourism wave. The ski resort boasts six professional ski slopes and more than 10 snow entertainment projects.
"This is my first time in Hubei and my first visit to Wuhan. We plan to visit the Yangtze River and the Yellow Crane Tower, try local food and drinks, and then let my child experience the city firsthand," said Hong, a visitor from Singapore.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Qianhai Snow World in south China's Guangdong Province features the longest single slope distance of 463 meters and the maximum vertical drop of 83 meters, making it the world's lowest latitude indoor ski resort.
Since opening, it has attracted over 40,000 visitors daily, including a significant portion from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
Beyond winter sports, the Eyes of the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) complex also houses the world's largest brick-and-mortar bookstore, spanning an area of 131,000 square meters and serving as a landmark for regional tourism and cultural exchange.
The west artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link started trial operation for tourism in October, marking a new chapter in regional tourism development.
"Our tourist numbers have seen explosive growth. We are attracting residents and tourists from core cities in the Greater Bay Area, aiming to build a comprehensive visitor network that covers the region's major cities, including Hong Kong and Macao," said Li Xinlong, marketing director of the Shenzhen Cultural and Tourism Industry Development Co., Ltd.
Winter tourism booms across China as ice-snow activities heat up
