Inner Mongolia Welcomes the World to Its Winter Tourism Season with a Vibrant Celebration of Ice, Snow and Mongolian Culture Spanning Five Months of Winter Fun

Published on November 24, 2025

Inner Mongolia is set to captivate travelers from around the globe with its highly anticipated winter tourism season, offering a vibrant blend of ice, snow, and rich Mongolian culture. Spanning five months from December 2025 to April 2026, the region will host an exciting array of cultural festivals, winter sports events, and scenic travel routes, making it an unmissable destination for those seeking adventure, tradition, and natural beauty. Whether it’s experiencing the thrill of snowmobiling across vast snowy landscapes, marveling at spectacular ice sculptures, or immersing oneself in the traditions of the Mongolian people, Inner Mongolia promises an unforgettable winter getaway filled with a unique mix of old-world charm and modern winter adventure.

The region’s winter season will feature 159 cultural activities, 48 sporting events, and 45 specially designed travel routes. This combination of culture, adventure, and leisure will attract tourists from across China and beyond, eager to explore the region’s snowy landscapes, unique traditions, and exciting winter experiences.

A Blend of Tradition and Adventure

One of the crown jewels of the winter season in Inner Mongolia will be the Ice and Snow Nadam Fair, which celebrates the region’s Mongolian heritage with a unique mix of winter sports and traditional festivities. This event is famous for its exhilarating displays of Mongolian horsemanship, archery, and wrestling, set against the striking snowy landscapes. It offers a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the ancient cultural traditions of the region while engaging in the winter magic of Inner Mongolia.

The 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival, held in Manzhouli, a city on the border of China, Russia, and Mongolia, will be another major highlight. This festival is renowned for its impressive ice sculptures, crafted by talented artists, and the blend of cultural performances and international winter sports competitions. The event not only promotes regional tourism but also emphasizes the importance of cross-border cultural exchanges between China, Russia, and Mongolia.

Fueling China’s Ice-and-Snow Economy

The winter tourism season in Inner Mongolia plays a vital role in China’s national plan to develop its ice-and-snow economy. This rapidly expanding industry aims to reach an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately 169 billion U.S. dollars) by 2027, with further growth expected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. As part of this initiative, Inner Mongolia is investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, new attractions, and innovative winter experiences to attract an increasing number of visitors.

The region’s focus on developing its winter tourism offerings reflects China’s broader efforts to make winter sports and cold-weather tourism an integral part of the country’s future. Inner Mongolia, with its wide open spaces, snowy terrain, and rich cultural traditions, is becoming a central hub for tourists looking to experience a unique, authentic winter destination.

Collaboration Across Northern China

While Inner Mongolia leads the charge, other northern provinces in China are also enhancing their winter tourism offerings. Heilongjiang Province, home to the famous Harbin Ice-Snow World, is expanding its iconic ice-and-snow theme park, making it even more spectacular with over 400,000 cubic meters of ice and snow. This giant theme park is a magnet for international visitors and is set to draw even larger crowds in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Jilin Province is offering a generous 100 million yuan in winter tourism vouchers and discounted shuttle services to ski resorts, making it easier for tourists to visit and explore its snowy mountain regions. Xinjiang’s Altay Prefecture, a popular winter sports destination, has also introduced a “snow break” program for students, encouraging younger visitors to embrace winter sports like skiing.

These collaborative efforts among northern provinces are contributing to the rapid development of China’s ice-and-snow tourism, creating an interconnected network of winter destinations that offer diverse experiences for travelers.

Winter Sports and Unique Experiences in Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is also making a name for itself by offering winter sports experiences that are unlike anything else in the country. Ulanqab, for example, is introducing volcanic skiing—a rare winter sport that allows visitors to ski down the slopes of ancient volcanic mountains. This thrilling activity offers an adventurous way to experience the region’s unique geological features.

Additionally, Arxan, known for its pristine natural beauty, will offer exciting snowmobiling tours across its expansive snowy landscapes. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the region is offering “ski-hot spring” combo tickets, allowing visitors to enjoy a day of skiing or snowboarding followed by a soak in one of the region’s hot spring resorts. This perfect combination of adventure and relaxation is designed to appeal to tourists of all ages.

To make the winter experience even more enjoyable, the region is providing heated rest areas, hot beverages, and extended hours at key tourist venues, ensuring that visitors stay comfortable even in the harshest winter conditions. These thoughtful additions reflect Inner Mongolia’s commitment to offering a warm and welcoming experience for all its visitors.

Affordable Winter Travel Options

In an effort to make the winter tourism season more accessible, Inner Mongolia is offering a range of tourism vouchers. These vouchers can be used at various attractions, providing discounts for families, groups, and school trips. This initiative helps lower the cost for travelers and encourages broader participation in the region’s winter tourism offerings.

These incentives are designed to ensure that winter tourism is not just for affluent tourists but for families and individuals from all walks of life. The hope is that by making the season more affordable, more people will be able to experience the charm of Inner Mongolia during the winter months.

Looking to the Future

Inner Mongolia’s 2025-2026 winter tourism season is more than just an effort to increase tourism; it is part of a larger vision to make the region a global leader in winter tourism. With its combination of thrilling winter sports, rich cultural experiences, and unique landscapes, Inner Mongolia is positioning itself as a top destination for winter travelers.

As the region continues to develop its winter offerings and grow its ice-and-snow economy, Inner Mongolia is poised to become one of China’s premier winter destinations, attracting visitors from around the world. This exciting new season marks the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s tourism development and promises to offer unforgettable experiences for years to come.