Snow Holidays in China Create New Opportunities for Regional Tourism Growth

Published on December 3, 2025

The introduction of “snow holidays” in various Chinese regions has led to a significant uptick in ice-and-snow tourism, facilitating cross-regional travel and contributing to economic growth. Data from a major Chinese travel agency revealed on Monday that the trend is not only helping the high-quality development of education but is also delivering substantial economic benefits by promoting winter tourism and driving consumption in snow-and-ice-related industries.

The “snow holidays” policy, implemented in several provinces, encourages students to take winter breaks specifically timed to coincide with peak snow seasons in China’s popular snow destinations. This initiative has effectively driven up tourism in cities and regions known for their winter sports and snow-based attractions. According to the travel agency, destinations like Harbin, Beijing, and Jilin have witnessed a noticeable increase in the number of visitors during these snow holidays.

Snow-and-Ice Tourism on the Rise in China

China has long been known for its rich cultural heritage and historical sites, but in recent years, the country has begun to tap into its natural winter offerings. As the demand for winter holidays grows, more Chinese regions are capitalizing on their snowy landscapes by offering a wide range of winter activities, from skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing and snow sculpture festivals.

Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, is perhaps the most famous snow destination in China, drawing millions of tourists every year to its world-renowned Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. The festival, which features massive, intricately carved ice sculptures, is one of the largest winter events in the world. Alongside the festival, Harbin offers skiing resorts, hot springs, and other winter sports activities, making it a major hub for snow-and-ice tourism.

Beijing and Jilin Province have also seen a rise in winter tourism as a result of the snow holiday initiative. Beijing’s Nanshan Ski Resort and Changping Ski Resort attract not only local visitors but also tourists from across the country, eager to experience China’s modern ski facilities. Meanwhile, Jilin, with its picturesque landscapes and snow-covered mountains, continues to grow as a regional hub for winter tourism, offering skiing, snowboarding, and cultural experiences like traditional ice fishing.

Economic Growth Fueled by Winter Tourism

The economic impact of the snow holidays extends beyond just travel and leisure. Winter tourism has contributed to the local economies of snow destinations by creating jobs in the hospitality, travel, and retail industries. The influx of tourists into snow-based regions has led to a rise in demand for accommodation, restaurants, transportation, and winter gear, contributing to the growth of the snow-and-ice consumption market.

For example, Harbin’s economy has seen a boost during the winter months, with local businesses benefiting from the influx of both domestic and international visitors. Hotels, restaurants, and shops catering to winter sports enthusiasts report higher revenue during snow holidays. Similarly, ski resorts in cities like Beijing have experienced a surge in bookings and rentals, with visitors eager to take advantage of the opportunity to ski or snowboard in China’s expanding winter sports infrastructure.

Furthermore, the snow holiday period has led to an increase in travel to remote snow destinations, spurring the development of infrastructure in smaller cities and rural areas. The expansion of transportation networks and the building of new winter resorts are helping to spread the economic benefits of snow tourism more evenly across the country, ensuring that regions outside the major urban centers also benefit from the winter tourism boom.

Cross-Regional Travel and Expanding Tourism Markets

One of the key benefits of the snow holidays is the facilitation of cross-regional travel. The snow holiday policy encourages students and their families to travel across provinces to explore winter destinations they may not have previously considered. This has led to a diversification of tourist flow, with regions traditionally known for summer tourism—such as Yunnan and Sichuan—now seeing more winter visitors.

Moreover, the snow holidays have brought more attention to lesser-known regions that are rich in snow-based tourism potential. For example, Xinjiang and Tibet, with their unique mountainous landscapes, are becoming increasingly popular for winter tourists. These regions offer a variety of activities, from winter trekking to snow sports, and provide an opportunity for tourists to experience China’s diverse environments beyond the more established destinations.

The Future of Snow and Ice Tourism in China

With the successful implementation of snow holidays, China is poised to continue its expansion in the winter tourism market. The government has recognised the potential of winter tourism as a key part of its broader tourism development strategy, focusing on creating sustainable, year-round destinations that attract both domestic and international visitors.

In the future, China may look to further develop its snow-and-ice tourism offerings by building more resorts, enhancing transportation links, and expanding marketing campaigns to attract more visitors from overseas. Additionally, there is a push to host international winter sports events, which would further establish China as a global leader in snow tourism.

Conclusion

The introduction of snow holidays in China has opened up new possibilities for winter tourism, driving an increase in domestic travel and fostering economic growth in snow-covered regions. With snow-based tourism continuing to grow in popularity, destinations like Harbin, Beijing, and Jilin stand to benefit from the expanding demand for winter travel experiences. The country’s continued investment in its winter tourism infrastructure, combined with the snow holiday initiative, positions China as an emerging leader in the global snow-and-ice tourism market. As tourists flock to the country’s snow-capped landscapes, the winter tourism sector is set to play a vital role in China’s tourism industry for years to come.