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The Harbin Ice-Snow World Photo: VCG

As the 9th Asian Winter Games unfolds in Harbin, capital city of China's northernmost Heilongjiang Province, visitors from around the world flock to the city. From Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world's largest ice-and-snow theme park, to the Yabuli Ski Resort, the city awaits visitors to explore its unique charm.  

According to a report of people.cn on Wednesday that cited data from the Harbin Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, Harbin recorded a total of 12.151 million visitor trips during the 2025 Spring Festival holidays (from January 28 to February 4), marking a 20.4 percent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, the number of inbound tourists increased by 144.7 percent year-on-year. Both visitor arrivals and total tourism revenue hit record highs.  

On Chinese social media app RedNote, searching for "Harbin travel guides" brings up a variety of posts. One post published in early January, titled "Spend Spring Festival in Harbin," received 13,200 likes and 13,000 saves to favorites. Among its nearly 300 comments, netizens recommended other must-visit destinations in the city and shared photos of their travels around the city. 

Enhanced experience

The Harbin Ice-Snow World, one of the city's top attractions, delivers a spectacular experience for everyone. During the day, visitors can admire the intricate ice sculptures, and at night, they can enjoy ice displays illuminated from within. 

This year, the design and construction of the Harbin Ice-Snow World have been fully integrated with elements of the Asian Winter Games. On Chinese New Year's Eve, ice sculptors took on the challenge of carving the Games mascots "Binbin" and "Nini" within seven hours, to celebrate the sporting event. 

The park also incorporates iconic landmarks from the 42 countries and three regions of the Olympic Council of Asia into its ice and snow sculptures. Singapore's Merlion, India's Taj Mahal, Qatar's Lusail Stadium, and the UAE's Burj Khalifa, have all been crafted from ice transported from the Songhua River, creating a spectacular frozen display.  

Visitors can also purchase official merchandise from the 9th Asian Winter Games within the park. One standout souvenir is an AR refrigerator magnet modeled after the Games' torch, featuring the mascots "Binbin" and "Nini" in the middle. The magnet has a rotating design, with petals representing Harbin's city flower, the lilac, each petal showcasing a famous Harbin landmark. Interestingly, scanning the product with a smartphone also unlocks an AR animation for an interactive experience.  

Exciting ice and snow entertainment options abounded, featuring an ice maze, super ice slides, the Snowflake Ferris Wheel and cycling on ice. The super ice slides, a crowd favorite, has been upgraded this year to 24 lanes. Additionally, a nearly 300-meter-long windproof and heated waiting area has been built to enhance visitors' comfort. Along with the super ice slide, the Snowflake Ferris Wheel, which became an internet sensation last year, introduced a WeChat reservation system for this year in order to reduce outdoor waiting times. To ease traffic congestion, multiple shuttle buses and additional public transportation services were made available.

Tourists flock to Central Street in Harbin, capital city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on February 1, 2025. Photo: VCG

Nightlife sensation

Other tourist attractions in Harbin have introduced various measures to enhance the visitor experience. At the Siberian Tiger Park, in response to the increasing number of visitors, the park has adjusted its sightseeing bus schedule, with the first departure now at 8 am and the last bus leaving at 4 pm.  

The Siberian tiger, one of the world's most endangered animals, is primarily found in the cold regions of northeastern China and Russian Siberia. Over the years, the Siberian Tiger Park has been dedicated to the artificial breeding and population expansion of Siberian tigers. 

In addition to the Siberian tigers, visitors can also see white tigers, white lions,and even smaller cat species like the wildcats and leopard cats. The park also offers an opportunity for interaction with small black bears, where visitors can enjoy the fun of feeding them. Visitors can watch a unique Siberian tiger drone-based wild training demonstration, where drones can be used to drop pheasants and help train Siberian tigers in their hunting skills. 

The Central Street in Harbin, a pedestrian street famous for its Western architecture spanning different eras, features various Games-themed decorations that inspire visitors to take out their phones and snap some photos. Yet many tourists have noted that the cold outdoor temperatures cause phones to drain battery quickly. In response, volunteer service stations where visitors can charge their phones have been added to the Central Street. Some volunteers patrolling the area are also carrying backpacks that provide charging services to tourists. 

At night, on the streets of Harbin, a flashy bus passes through Central Street, inside, among flashing lights and booming music, passengers sway to the beats of a live DJ set. This is the city's "disco bus," a nightlife sensation which has taken the internet by storm since last year.  
Guan Xuxiao, born and raised in Harbin, launched the disco bus and he shared with the Global Times that this year, they have adjusted the bus stops to allow tourists to wait at indoor areas. "We have seen some international visitors join our party, mostly from Russia and Southeastern Asia. Friends from all around the world, welcome to Harbin!" he added.

As the Asian Winter Games shines a global spotlight on Harbin, the city's blend of sports, culture, and tourism creates an unforgettable winter spectacle. From world-class ski resorts to immersive ice and snow experiences, and the viral "disco bus" nightlife, Harbin is proving to be more than just a winter destination. Exploring the city's  charm, warmth, and winter magic in person is definitely an experience not to be missed.