This winter, the city of Harbin in China became a popular tourist destination thanks to the 41st Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which started on January 5th. Among the most visited attractions are the Harbin Ice and Snow Museum, the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Sun Island, Central Avenue, St. Sophia Cathedral, and Siberian Tiger Park, in addition to the festival itself.
The Harbin Ice and Snow Museum set a record by receiving 3.56 million visitors during its 68 days of operation. The 9th Winter Asian Games and several test events held in the city also contributed to the increase in tourism. More than 500 ice and snow sports facilities were built, and the facilities of 15 local ski resorts were improved, attracting spectators and athletes from around the world.
Additionally, cultural sites like the Harbin Museum and the Evidence Exhibition Hall of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Imperial Japanese Army also experienced a significant increase in the number of visitors. China plans to develop its ice and snow economy as an economic driver, with an ambitious plan aiming for a total market size of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines published by the State Council in 2024.
To take advantage of this opportunity, Harbin is implementing market regulation measures and tourist guidance to continue improving the tourist experience and generate additional economic momentum through its ice and snow resources. In the winter season 2024-2025, tourism in Harbin experienced a 9.7% increase in the number of tourist arrivals, exceeding 90 million.
As one of the main winter tourism destinations in China, Harbin recorded a revenue of 137.22 billion yuan (approximately 19 billion dollars) in its tourism sector between November 8, 2024, and February 28, 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of 16.6%. Specifically, the number of international visitors to Harbin increased by 94.2% compared to the previous winter season, driven by a greater influx of tourists from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries.