China Harbin Ice-Snow World Shatters Records With Spectacular Winter Attractions, Record-Breaking Visitor Numbers, And Thrilling New Additions For 2025 Season

Published on December 18, 2025

China Harbin Ice-Snow World is breaking records this winter season with its spectacular new attractions, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. The park’s official opening for 2025 marks a thrilling start to the season, featuring an enhanced array of ice sculptures, thrilling rides, and expanded entertainment offerings. With a massive 1.2 million square meters of park area, the addition of new features like the Super Ice Slide and exciting performances ensures visitors an unforgettable experience. As the park continues to grow, it solidifies Harbin’s position as a leading winter tourism destination and a key player in China’s booming ice and snow economy.

He Rui braved the icy winds as he slid down the 521-meter Super Ice Slide at Harbin Ice-Snow World, marking the official start of the winter season at the world’s largest ice and snow theme park in Harbin, northeast China. Traveling over 3,000 kilometers from Guizhou Province, He had eagerly awaited the chance to experience the thrill of the park’s renowned attractions, and his excitement was palpable as he enjoyed the winter fun.

At 10 a.m., Harbin Ice-Snow World officially opened for the season, unveiling its most impressive edition yet. Spanning 1.2 million square meters, the park features enhanced ice sculptures, new attractions, and a range of services designed to create a memorable experience for visitors. As the first group of tourists flocked to the park, they were eager to explore the park’s iconic features and new additions.

Park Highlights for the 2025 Season

The Super Ice Slides, one of the park’s main attractions, maintained their 24-lane layout and extended the track to 521 meters, providing even more exhilarating excitement. The 120-meter sky wheel, another favorite, also reopened, offering stunning views of the winter wonderland below. The enhanced park features gave visitors more reasons to celebrate as they explored.

Upon entering the park, visitors were greeted with vibrant performances, including lively dance and drum shows, and received cans of “First-day Ice,” a symbol of good luck. This ice, collected during Harbin’s ice-cutting festival, became a trending topic on Chinese social media, drawing attention to the festivities and adding to the sense of excitement.

One of the standout features of the park is its towering main structure, designed in the shape of the Chinese character for “mountain,” surrounded by snowflakes. This architectural design symbolizes China’s ambitions for a thriving ice and snow economy and serves as a landmark in the park.

The ice sculptures, a key attraction, beautifully blend Eastern and Western artistic influences. Magnificent replicas of historical landmarks, such as the Yellow Crane Tower and Harbin’s Baroque buildings, stand alongside models of global icons, including Belgium’s Manneken-Pis and military models like aircraft carriers and submarines. The sculptures capture the imagination of visitors, creating an unforgettable visual experience.

Expanding Entertainment Offerings

This season, Harbin Ice-Snow World has expanded its entertainment offerings, introducing new performances and activities. Visitors can enjoy singing competitions, dance battles, and indoor fantasy shows, providing even more ways to stay entertained throughout the day.

The park also introduced a 5,000-square-meter air-supported dome to provide visitors with a warm retreat from the winter chill. In addition to the dome, the park offers free hot drinks and guided services, ensuring that guests stay comfortable while enjoying the attractions.

Boosting Harbin’s Economy

Harbin, often called “China’s Ice City,” has transformed its long, cold winters into a major economic asset. Last winter, the city attracted a record 90.36 million visitors, generating 137.22 billion yuan (approximately $19.44 billion) in revenue, marking a 16.6% increase compared to the previous year. This increase reflects the growing appeal of winter tourism and the city’s role as a leading destination for snow and ice enthusiasts.

Beyond Harbin Ice-Snow World, Harbin is promoting two other major winter attractions: the Sun Island Snow Expo and the Ice and Snow Carnival along the frozen Songhua River. The Sun Island Snow Expo spans 1.5 million square meters and features stunning snow sculptures, while the Ice and Snow Carnival offers around 260 snow sculptures and 60 additional ice-themed entertainment projects. These attractions complement the city’s ice and snow tourism offerings, further solidifying Harbin’s status as a premier winter destination.

Harbin Ice-Snow World plays a significant role in the city’s economic growth. Last winter, the park drew 3.56 million visitors over a 68-day period, contributing to the ice and snow economy of Heilongjiang Province, which reached 266.17 billion yuan. This growth is expected to continue, with the national ice and snow economy projected to reach 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.

China’s Expanding Winter Tourism Industry

The Chinese government is committed to expanding the ice and snow economy, making it a key driver of development. Efforts to enhance tourism services and infrastructure are underway, with a focus on improving public accessibility, offering multilingual guides, and streamlining payment services to attract international visitors. The government is also investing in high-quality inbound tourism products and services, ensuring that China remains a top choice for winter travelers.

As the winter tourism season peaks, destinations across China are launching new projects and initiatives to attract international visitors. These include themed travel routes, snow vacations for students, and special ice-and-snow vouchers. The nationwide effort to promote winter tourism will continue as part of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), positioning China as a leader in the global winter travel market.

China Harbin Ice-Snow World is setting new records this winter with its thrilling new attractions and enhanced experiences, drawing millions of visitors from across the globe. The park’s expansion and breathtaking ice sculptures solidify Harbin’s status as a premier winter destination.

Harbin Ice-Snow World’s opening signals the start of another exciting winter season, offering visitors an unforgettable experience filled with thrills, beauty, and entertainment. With its record-breaking attractions and significant economic impact, the park remains a top destination for travelers seeking the magic of winter.