Japan Joins France, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, South Korea, And More Countries In Boosting China’s Tourism And Economic Growth In 2025 Thanks To New Visa-Free Travel Policy: What You Need To Know For 2026

Published on January 7, 2026

Japan joins France, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, South Korea, and more countries in driving China’s tourism boom in 2026, thanks to a new visa-free travel policy that has spurred record growth in the country’s winter tourism sector. This surge is not only marked by increased international arrivals to popular ski resorts and hot spring destinations but also reflects a broader shift in China’s tourism landscape, as winter travel becomes a major economic driver. With enhanced infrastructure and the appeal of unique winter experiences, China is rapidly establishing itself as a top destination for travelers seeking snowy escapes, transforming its ice-and-snow economy into a key contributor to national consumption and growth.

China has rapidly established itself as a dominant force in the winter tourism sector, with its ice-and-snow economy experiencing a remarkable surge during the 2026 New Year’s holidays. This sharp growth reflects not just an increased appetite for winter sports and activities but also the growing appeal of winter destinations across the country. The demand for winter travel reached unprecedented levels, fueled by an explosion of bookings for iconic ski resorts like Harbin’s “Snow Town” and Yabuli Ski Resort. As the winter tourism season becomes one of China’s most lucrative periods, it signals a shift in the national tourism landscape, turning the colder months into a year-round driver of economic growth and national consumption.

Record-Breaking Winter Travel Surge in China

The New Year’s holiday period in China saw a dramatic increase in winter tourism, marking a record-breaking surge in both domestic and international bookings. Key ski resorts in the country, including Harbin’s “Snow Town” and Yabuli Ski Resort, reported exceptional growth in ticket bookings. Harbin, known for its ice festivals, saw a 2.7-fold increase in bookings compared to previous years. Yabuli, another prominent ski destination, reported a two-fold increase, reflecting a broader national trend of heightened interest in winter travel.

As the demand soared, so did the passenger traffic across both rail and air sectors. Train and flight bookings surged by more than three times compared to the previous year, as travelers flocked to northeastern cities like Harbin, Shenyang, and Changchun, destinations popular for their scenic winter offerings. The popularity of these routes, especially toward the end of the holidays, resulted in limited ticket availability, with many return tickets selling out quickly. To accommodate this surge in demand, the railway authorities rolled out additional high-speed and conventional charter trains to manage the influx of winter travelers.

Hot Springs and Short Getaways Gain Popularity

Alongside traditional winter sports like skiing, there has been a marked rise in the popularity of hot spring resorts and short winter getaways. These destinations offer visitors a chance to unwind and relax in hot spring waters, providing a much-needed contrast to the colder weather. In 2026, visitor numbers to hot spring resorts across China saw a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting a broader shift toward short, rejuvenating winter breaks.

One of the standout destinations in this category is the Wanlong Ski Resort in Chongli, Hebei Province. Despite not enjoying the same extended holiday period as the previous year, the resort saw a 20 percent increase in visitor numbers. This uptick is a testament to the growing demand for more frequent, shorter winter holidays, with travelers seeking both winter sports and relaxing thermal experiences.

Expanding Ice-and-Snow Tourism Across China

While Harbin remains the quintessential destination for winter tourism in China, other regions have experienced a significant rise in visitors, as travelers seek new winter destinations. Areas such as Altay in Xinjiang, Huludao in Liaoning, and Aba in Sichuan have reported year-on-year visitor increases of over 12 percent, signaling the spread of China’s ice-and-snow economy beyond the established hotspots.

This diversification of winter destinations is contributing to the broader growth of China’s winter tourism sector. Emerging regions are benefitting from increased infrastructure investments and targeted marketing efforts to attract tourists to lesser-known locations. These destinations, supported by government initiatives promoting winter tourism, are becoming important parts of China’s efforts to expand its tourism offerings and boost economic growth throughout the year.

Hainan’s Winter Escape and Duty-Free Shopping Surge

South China’s tropical Hainan Province, traditionally known for its warm climate and summer tourism, also saw a spike in visitor numbers during the New Year holidays. This surge was partly driven by a special customs operation promoting duty-free shopping on the island. According to Tongcheng Travel data, flight bookings for both inbound and outbound travel to Hainan soared by 76 percent compared to the previous month, signaling growing interest in the province’s winter offerings.

In addition to tourism, Hainan’s duty-free shopping sector experienced remarkable growth. During the first day of the holiday period, 148,000 items were sold, marking a 30 percent year-on-year increase. The number of shoppers surged by 45.8 percent, with total sales reaching 251 million yuan ($35.89 million), a nearly 94 percent rise from the previous year. This surge in duty-free sales highlights the growing importance of winter shopping tourism, further contributing to Hainan’s broader tourism economy.

China’s Ice-and-Snow Economy as a Catalyst for National Growth

The impressive growth of China’s ice-and-snow economy is transforming the country’s winter tourism landscape. The record-breaking demand for winter travel is not just benefiting ski resorts and hot spring destinations but also providing a significant boost to local economies. From creating new jobs to enhancing infrastructure in emerging destinations, the ice-and-snow economy is becoming a key driver of economic growth in many regions.

China’s growing winter tourism market also aligns with the country’s broader efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and spread tourism demand throughout the year. By investing in the development of winter sports infrastructure, including ski resorts and hot spring facilities, China is positioning itself as a year-round travel destination for both domestic and international visitors. This shift not only makes winter a crucial season for tourism but also strengthens the country’s position in the global travel market.

The Role of International Markets in Boosting China’s Winter Tourism

The influx of international visitors, particularly from nearby countries, has played a significant role in the growth of China’s winter tourism sector. Several countries have contributed to this surge, benefiting from China’s visa-free policies and travel incentives. Among the leading countries driving this growth are:

• Russia: A significant contributor to the rise in visitor numbers to Harbin and Yabuli, facilitated by visa-free travel agreements.
• Japan: A key promoter and visitor source for northeast China’s ski resorts and ice festivals.
• South Korea: Dominant in group tours and charters to Yabuli and Harbin, with bookings up by 35%.
• ASEAN Countries (e.g., Malaysia, Thailand): Increasing their presence via transit waivers and Southeast Asian promotional campaigns.
• France: Helping draw European interest in Jilin Province’s winter destinations through targeted events.

These international markets, along with domestic demand, drove a 94.2% increase in international visitors to Harbin during the 2024-2025 winter season, setting the stage for even greater growth in the 2025-2026 season.

Key Source Markets for China’s Winter Tourism

The following countries have been pivotal in boosting the popularity of China’s winter tourism sector, especially to destinations like Harbin Ice-Snow World and Yabuli Ski Resort:

• Russia: Russia has become a key source of tourists, particularly from Vladivostok and other nearby areas, benefiting from visa-free policies.
• Japan: Japan is a significant player, sending large numbers of visitors to China’s northeast for skiing and ice festivals.
• South Korea: South Korea has led group tours and charters to China’s most popular winter destinations, particularly to Yabuli and Harbin, contributing to a 35% increase in bookings.
• Malaysia and Thailand (ASEAN): With transit waivers in place, ASEAN countries have been instrumental in driving up winter tourism numbers.
• France: France has supported winter tourism growth in Jilin Province, attracting European visitors to the region’s winter activities.

This surge in international tourism is expected to continue into 2026, as China’s visa-free policies and promotional efforts continue to attract global travelers.

Future Prospects: The Ice-and-Snow Economy in China

Experts predict that China’s ice-and-snow economy will continue its rapid growth in the coming years. With more regions embracing winter tourism, increasing numbers of Chinese citizens are expected to opt for winter holidays. The demand for ski resorts, hot springs, and other winter destinations is only likely to grow as infrastructure improves and more destinations become accessible.

The continued development of ski resorts, hot spring facilities, and other winter tourism infrastructure will ensure that China remains a top destination for winter travel. With increasing investments in tourism, China is setting the stage to become a leader in global winter tourism.

China’s ice-and-snow economy has firmly established itself as a major player in global winter tourism. The country’s tourism sector has experienced a surge in demand, driven by growing domestic interest and a significant influx of international travelers from nearby countries. With a focus on expanding infrastructure and offering diverse winter experiences, China is positioned to lead the way in winter tourism, offering travelers an unmatched winter holiday experience.

Japan joins France, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, South Korea, and more countries in fueling China’s tourism growth in 2026, as the new visa-free travel policy unlocks unprecedented opportunities for international visitors. This policy has significantly boosted winter tourism, with record-breaking demand for ski resorts and hot spring destinations across the country.

As China continues to grow its winter tourism industry, it remains committed to developing new destinations, improving infrastructure, and attracting international visitors. The future of the ice-and-snow economy looks bright, and China is well on its way to becoming a year-round travel destination, continuing to thrive in both domestic and international tourism.