China’s Heilongjiang Province to Energize Winter Tourism with Sports Super League, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 28, 2025

The Heilongjiang Province, in the uppermost northeast of the country, is getting ready for the very first Ice-and-Snow Sports Super League to take place. Starting in December of 2025, the League will help nurture the province’s and the country’s winter sporting tourism industry, thanks to the over 100 activities planned – skiing, ice skating, architectural snowball fights, and many more. The Province will help fulfill the needs of winter sporting fanatics, touristic and regular winter families alike. This, along with the activities expected to be planned, will help the country tourism with winter sporting activities.

The Super League will be a massive snow and ice event and will be the first of its kind. Just more than a month-long event will help gain snow and ice activities. The League will support and promote the mass participation in sporting activities with little to no obstacles or restrictions for the varying winter activities.

Diverse Range of Events to Attract Tourists

The Heilongjiang Ice-and-Snow Sports Super League will feature a mix of competitive and recreational events designed to appeal to a broad audience. Among the major highlights are professional competitions in speed skating and snow rugby, where international athletes will compete. For those more interested in fun and family-friendly activities, the league will also host unique events like a snow football challenge and a snowball fight tournament.

This exciting array of activities aims to bring together both seasoned sports fans and casual visitors, creating a festive atmosphere across the province. The Super League will also tie in with city culture festivals, travel-photography contests, and other local activities surrounding the competition venues. These initiatives are designed to offer an immersive experience that blends athletic competition with leisure travel and specialty consumption, turning Heilongjiang into a winter sports hub for tourists.

Winter Sports Culture to Drive Tourism Surge

As Heilongjiang is home to multiple Winter Olympic and world champions—such as Yang Yang, Wang Meng, Sun Linlin, and Fan Kexin—the region is positioned to become a key destination for those interested in winter sports culture. Visitors are expected to flock to Heilongjiang to witness these champions in action and experience the province’s rich history in winter sports.

In particular, Qitaihe, a city within Heilongjiang, is anticipating a surge in visitors following the Super League events. Visitors will not only have the opportunity to attend the sporting events but also enjoy unique cultural experiences, such as the “Skating with Champions” courses and world champion gold medal exhibitions.

Capitalizing on Ice-and-Snow Economy Growth

Heilongjiang is already one of China’s most prominent destinations for winter tourism, with its ice-and-snow economy continuing to grow at a rapid pace. According to the province’s Bureau of Statistics, the market size of the ice-and-snow economy reached 266.17 billion yuan (about $37.6 billion USD) in 2024. Of this total, 182.33 billion yuan (around $26.5 billion USD) came from ice-and-snow tourism alone.

This growing market is fueled by a mix of high-profile events, such as the Harbin Asian Winter Games in 2025, and the appeal of the province’s natural beauty, including its vast snowy landscapes, hot springs, and ice festivals. The Super League is expected to further energize this sector, creating more opportunities for local businesses and attracting tourists to explore Heilongjiang’s ice-and-snow offerings.

Strategic Integration with National and International Sports Events

The Super League’s launch coincides with several major national and international sports events that will further fuel the region’s tourism growth. The Harbin Asian Winter Games in 2025, for example, is already creating excitement among winter sports fans, while the Village Super League, a grassroots football competition, has proven to be a major success, attracting over 9.4 million tourists in 2024. The Village Super League has been hailed as one of China’s top grassroots sporting events and has had a profound impact on tourism, particularly in rural and lesser-known regions like Rongjiang County in Guizhou Province.

By aligning the Super League with the momentum of these events, Heilongjiang hopes to draw even more visitors, making the province a key player in China’s growing winter tourism industry. The combination of professional sports competitions, grassroots engagement, and cultural activities is set to create a lasting legacy for the province.

Economic and Cultural Impact of the Super League

The Heilongjiang Ice-and-Snow Sports Super League is not just an important tourism driver but also a significant economic opportunity for the region. It is expected to generate a wide array of business opportunities, including increased demand for accommodations, transportation, food services, and retail. Local tourism operators and hospitality businesses are preparing for a spike in visitors, while the influx of tourists will likely lead to more investments in infrastructure, tourism services, and the wider economy.

The Super League will also help to cement Heilongjiang’s status as a leading winter sports destination in Asia, with its world-class facilities and growing international recognition. This, in turn, will help promote the province on a global stage, drawing attention to its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-class winter sports culture.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Growth for Heilongjiang’s Winter Tourism

The success of the Heilongjiang Ice-and-Snow Super League is the first of many anticipated benefits in the province’s tourism sector. As Heilongjiang continues to invest in the infrastructure for winter sports, promote the ice-and-snow economy, and attract major international sporting events, the province is on its way to being a fully functioning, year-round tourism destination. As the Super League is integrated into the tourism and economic strategies of China, it will help promote the region as a significant cultural and leisure destination in the country.

With an expanding international tourist base, an increasingly internationalized tourist infrastructure, and growing participation in winter sports, Heilongjiang is set to become a leader as one of the winter tourism frontrunners in Asia.