China’s Ice-and-Snow Tourism Explodes During New Year’s Holidays with Record-Breaking Bookings and Ski Resort Crowds

China, During the New Year’s Day holidays, China’s ice-and-snow tourism has become a major driver of winter consumption, as both domestic and international travellers flock to ski resorts, hot spring destinations, and snow towns. The demand for travel surged, highlighting the country’s growing enthusiasm for winter sports and seasonal getaways. Ski resorts and hot spring spots have seen unprecedented numbers of visitors, with booking rates skyrocketing during this period.

The ice-and-snow tourism sector has been gaining momentum for years, and with this year’s New Year’s Day holidays, it reached new heights. According to big data analyses, popular destinations like Harbin in Northeast China, Altay in Xinjiang, and Yabuli Ski Resort have seen massive growth in bookings. These areas have captured the attention of tourists, eager to experience China’s winter wonders, such as skiing, hot springs, and unique seasonal attractions.

Unprecedented Growth in Ice-and-Snow Tourism

The New Year’s Day holidays marked a turning point for China’s ice-and-snow tourism, which has rapidly become a key factor in the country’s winter consumption. As temperatures plummeted, ski resorts and snow towns were brimming with visitors eager to enjoy the icy beauty and adventure that these regions offer. Ticket bookings to major winter destinations skyrocketed, especially for Harbin‘s Snow Town and the Yabuli Ski Resort, which saw bookings increase by more than two times and 2.7 times respectively.

In Harbin, the city known for its ice festivals and scenic snow-covered streets, the search volume for related travel surged more than fivefold year-on-year. The growing interest in winter travel led to higher-than-ever demand for train tickets to northeastern cities like Harbin, Shenyang, and Changchun. Many of these routes saw their return tickets sold out, while railway authorities scrambled to add more charter trains to accommodate the increasing travel demand.

Visitor Growth Across Popular Ski Resorts and Snow Towns

As the popularity of snow tourism grew, resorts across China experienced a boost in footfall. For example, the Wanlong Ski Resort in Chongli district, Zhangjiakou saw an impressive rise in visitors, with about 12,000 tourists arriving on January 2 alone. Overall, the ski resort reported a 30 to 40 percent increase in visitors compared to previous years. More remarkably, the surge in tourists isn’t just from the usual cold-weather regions of Northern China—there has been a notable increase in visitors from Southern China, such as the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta, as well as from Hong Kong, Macau, and even Southeast Asia.

Snow Town in Harbin: This destination saw a 2.7x increase in bookings year on year, with a huge jump in interest from international travellers.
Yabuli Ski Resort: 2x increase in bookings, attracting a record number of visitors seeking snow sports and winter activities.
Wanlong Ski Resort: Hosted 12,000 visitors on January 2 alone, showcasing a 30-40% growth in foot traffic during the holidays.

A Winter Wonderland for All Ages

This year’s New Year’s Day holidays saw families, young travellers, and even international tourists seeking adventure in the snow. The variety of experiences, from thrilling skiing slopes to relaxing hot springs, made China’s ice-and-snow tourism a multifaceted appeal. It wasn’t just about skiing; tourists sought out destinations that combined winter sports with the opportunity to unwind in luxury resorts or explore winter festivals that are unique to China.

Harbin Ice Festival: Known for its elaborate ice sculptures, the Harbin Ice Festival continues to draw crowds seeking a magical winter experience.
Hot Springs in Central China: These resorts saw a 50% increase in visitors, as people sought relaxation and rejuvenation in the winter chill.

Hainan’s Winter Escape Trend

While ice-and-snow tourism flourished in the north, Hainan, China’s tropical island, saw a significant spike in winter escape tourism. The island became a popular winter getaway, offering a warm-weather retreat from the cold northern regions. The Hainan Province’s airports saw a 76% rise in inbound and outbound flight bookings, driven by the island’s reputation as a winter haven.

In addition, duty-free shopping continued to thrive in Hainan, with Haikou Customs reporting a 30% year-on-year increase in offshore sales on the first day of the New Year’s Day holidays. This surge in shopping tourism added another dimension to the appeal of Hainan, making it a year-round destination for both domestic and international travellers.

Hainan Province: The island saw a 76% increase in bookings as travellers flocked to enjoy its warm climate during the cold winter months.
Duty-Free Shopping in Hainan: Sales surged by 93.8% compared to last year, attracting shoppers from both domestic and international markets.

The Growth of Winter Tourism and Its Impact on the Economy

The ice-and-snow tourism sector has not only transformed China’s travel industry but is also contributing to economic growth. According to big data reports, winter tourism is expected to continue its upward trajectory, driven by the growing interest in winter sports, resorts, and hot spring getaways. The boom in both domestic and international travel is fueling a wider economic impact, from the increase in consumer spending at ski resorts to the boost in local economies in northern and central China.

Tourism’s role as an economic driver is becoming even more evident, with more people embracing winter travel. This growing trend is expected to sustain China’s ice-and-snow economy, continuing to generate significant contributions to the country’s GDP and local economies in snow destinations.

The Future of China’s Winter Tourism Economy

Looking ahead, China’s ice-and-snow tourism is expected to keep growing, driven by an influx of investment in winter sports infrastructure, better accessibility to ski resorts, and an ever-increasing demand for unique winter experiences. The continued surge in both domestic and international tourism reflects a broader shift towards seasonal travel, where winter vacations are no longer a niche interest but a mainstream trend that appeals to a wide array of travellers.

Conclusion: China’s Thriving Winter Tourism Industry

China’s ice-and-snow tourism has firmly established itself as a key contributor to winter consumption during the New Year’s Day holidays. From Harbin’s snow towns to the warm escape in Hainan, China offers a diverse range of winter experiences that attract travellers from all walks of life. The surge in demand for ski resorts, hot spring getaways, and winter festivals demonstrates the growing appeal of the country’s winter tourism economy, which is set to continue flourishing in the years to come.

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