New Ice-and-Snow Train in Harbin Offers a Scenic Journey Through China’s Winter Paradise

Published on November 28, 2025

The capital of Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China, Harbin, is celebrating the launch of its tourism-based Ice-and-Snow themed railway, a significant addition to the region’s flourishing winter tourism offerings. As of Wednesday, the province’s new Train Y783 departed Harbin Railway Station on a six-day journey, adorned with winter-themed decorations, wherein guests will have the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of northeastern China during winter through a guided tour, as well as participate in themed activities.

The project contributes to the region’s winter tourism, as well as to Heilongjiang’s Ice Economy, a term used to describe the industries associated with the province’s winter amenities, including, but not limited to, ice festivals, snow activities, and breathtaking winter scenery. The themed train tour is centred around the pair of winter and railway travels, creating a unique experience for tourists.

Exploring Heilongjiang’s Winter Wonders on a Thematic Train

The themed train broadens the scope of Harbin’s winter tourism. Harbin is famous for the Ice and Snow Festival, and is a destination for tourists to witness the extraordinary ice art, enjoy the winter snowy scene, participate in winter sports, and experience winter activities. For the first time, tourists will be able to enjoy the beauty of northeastern China’s winter landscapes by train as well as by the newly inaugurated Train Y783.

The train passes winter wonderlands and enables passengers to view the winter snow-laden trees, frozen rivers, and mountains. The train is adorned with themed decorations including paintings winter skyscapes and is accented with ice blue lighting and snowflake designs. This immersive experience invites tourists to interact with the wonder of winter ice and snow more than simply as a destination, but as a journey.

Interactive Activities and Tour Guiding Service

Complementing the visual enjoyment, the train incorporates engaging, interactive activities\, and all winter themed games, ice sculpture workshops, and snowman-building activities, tailored to the region’s pantheon of winter culture, bring to mind the fireplace and warmth of the train.

During the journey, the services of a tour guiding professional, who is knowledgeable of the region’s natural history, beauty, and culture, and of all the destination sites, are available to each guest. The guides contextualize the folklore of the region, educating guests on the various traditions, and the customs surrounding the Ice and Snow Festival. Visually captivating, the tour completes winter without the hedonistic slush of ice, and offers a full suite of winter travel services.

Heilongjiang’s Ice and Snow Economy: A Growing Sector.

The introduction of a new Ice-and-snow-themed tourism train initiative signals a growing focus in this province devoted to cultivating its Ice and Snow Economy. The province features botanical gardens and parks, such as the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival and the Yabuli Ski Resort and Siberian Tiger Park, and other developed winter tourism attractions. The winter season draws guests seeking cultural and winter sports activities and everyone who wishes to experience life in and enjoy an icy snowy setting.

The new tourism train and its all-inclusive travel experiences and entertainment offerings will further position the province as a top winter destination in all domestic markets.

The province is expanding its focus to entice markets internationally, especially those from colder climates, and regions of the world with a robust winter tourism interest. Development of diverse train tour offerings will positively position the province as a destination for eco-tourism, adventure, and cultural tourism activities across winter landscapes.

A vital component to developing China’s winter tourism products.

The launching of Train Y783 is in line with the trend in China’s tourism industry wherein regional destinations are beginning to export tailored experiences to visitors. This themed train is a perfect match to the increasing demand in the tourism market for experiential trips wherein travelers go on immersive and interactive journeys that allow them to form deeper connections to the culture, geography, and environment of the places they travel to.

This project, however, is not only anticipated to improve tourism products but also to significantly improve the economic situation of the local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, and local guides in the province of Heilongjiang will benefit from increased customer traffic. Furthermore, by providing an alternative to the private car, visitors will be able to experience the region more fully and the new tourism service will support sustainable tourism.

Looking Forward: The Future of Winter Tourism in China

China is no stranger to construction and creation of novel winter travel amenities, and with the recent additions of Ice and Snow tourism, the winter segment of tourism will gain some focus. The success of the Ice and Snow tourism train will most likely encourage other areas in China to develop more integrated systems of transportation and tourism travel, and give travellers more options to experience winter tourism.

In China and East Asia, the integration of Winter Train Themed tourism, which has been previously offered in other parts of the world, is a welcome new addition to the regional tourism. The combination of transport and other tourism activities in innovative ways has opened opportunities for complex itineraries and has the potential to attract certain travelers.

Conclusion: A Distinctive Experience of Winter in Harbin

The Ice-and-Snow Tourism Train in Heilongjiang offers an unparalleled opportunity for tourists to appreciate the winter charms of northeastern China. Engaging in train travel for sightseeing and joining an interactive game and cultural tour, the train is now an anticipated event for winter-themed travel. The growing ice and snow economy in the area boosts its standing as a key site for travellers from home and abroad and who wish to enjoy the winter charms of China.