Winter Break and Snowfall Fuel Tourism Growth in Northern China’s Jilin and Xinjiang, Get the Details Here

Published on December 7, 2025

On December 2nd, a powerful blizzard that was a first of the snowfalls of the season across China arrived winter’s season in full force. A blanket of deep snow was placed across northeastern and northern cities creating a gorgeous vintage winter postcard scenery. The snow and winds that created winter whiteout conditions, and a magical vintage beauty to the cities were softened and blurred. The buildings’ lines and roadways were nomatic and their cities appeared beautiful.

Users across social media platforms posted videos and images of the snow of the deep winter beauty. Without the hazy, white horizon of a frost wall, peaceful body of snow a winter postcard emerged. Battling and capturing the imaginations of many, snow-filled cars of a busy winter wonderland frustratingly pulled people in the beauty. This snow was to paused be simply beauty, stop to appreciate. In the beautiful, snowy winter other people, and the more rural farmers, were busy. The severe weather showed the practical side of rural beauty, while farmers of the agricultural areas pressed on to activities as life continued for their winter tasks.

Snow Vacation Policy: A Bold Move to Stimulate Winter Tourism

The timing of the first snowfall coincided with the launch of a new government initiative: China’s first-ever “snow vacation.” This pilot program was introduced to promote winter tourism and support the economy during the colder months by encouraging both domestic travel and the use of paid leave during winter. The “snow vacation” provides students in several northeastern and northwestern provinces with an official winter break, marking a first for the country. This initiative is part of an effort by authorities to harmonize the academic calendar with seasonal economic opportunities, offering families and tourists a chance to enjoy winter holidays in the heart of the season.

Students across regions like Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Jilin Province are among the first to benefit from the break. The vacation extends from Monday to Friday for students in compulsory education in Xinjiang, while Urumqi residents also enjoyed a nine-day holiday, combining leisure with a touch of education. Local governments have expressed excitement over the potential of the program, particularly in boosting winter tourism and fostering educational experiences related to winter sports and nature.

Encouraging Family Travel with Special Offers

The snow vacation has created a buzz not only for its novelty but also for the tourism opportunities it presents. The Chinese government and local tourism boards have quickly adapted by launching special discounted packages designed to attract tourists. These packages cater to both leisure and educational tourism, providing families with affordable options to experience the winter beauty of China’s northern regions.

In Jilin Province, one of the regions most affected by the snowfall, tourism authorities have taken bold steps to capitalize on the winter season. A total of 171 A-rated winter scenic spots and 39 certified skiing and skating facilities have been opened free of charge to primary and secondary school students. Additionally, parents accompanying their children receive reduced-price admission, making the winter holiday a family-friendly experience.

These offers go beyond simple discounts. Jilin has also implemented policies encouraging local employees to take paid leave, enabling them to spend time with their children during the break. In a move that further supports the tourism push, schools have been instructed not to assign homework or hold classes during this time, ensuring that students and their families can fully immerse themselves in the winter experience without the pressures of academic commitments.

Boost to Local Travel and Tourism Bookings

The impact of the snow vacation policy has been noticeable in travel bookings, signaling a positive shift for the tourism industry in China’s northern provinces. Data from popular travel platform Qunar shows a substantial increase in tourism activity following the announcement of the holiday. Between December 2 and December 7, reservations for tourist sites in Jilin Province rose by 13 percent year-on-year, reflecting the growing interest in winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and exploring scenic spots.

The effects of the snow vacation also extended to flight bookings, particularly from cities like Changchun, where there was a 57 percent surge in reservations from Friday to Monday, compared with the previous week. This increase highlights the significant role that these new policies are playing in encouraging travel within the country, particularly to regions that are renowned for their winter tourism offerings.

Tourism agencies have noted that the early snowfall, combined with the snow vacation initiative, has stimulated demand for winter travel experiences, including both short getaways and longer trips to destinations known for their winter landscapes and activities. As families take advantage of the school break, they are also choosing to explore new destinations within China, drawn by the special promotions and discounts available.

The Shift Toward Winter Travel: Economic and Cultural Impact

China’s introduction of the snow vacation is more than just a seasonal event—it is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the winter tourism industry and boost regional economies. With the “snow vacation” serving as an incentive for families to engage in winter tourism, the policy also plays a significant role in distributing economic activity more evenly across the year. Traditionally, tourism peaks in the summer, but winter travel remains relatively underdeveloped. By creating a demand for winter vacations, the government hopes to sustain tourism throughout the year, thus benefiting local businesses, hotels, and transport services.

This initiative also opens up opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism innovations. With a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, nature-based experiences, and winter sports, the snow vacation aims to foster a deeper connection between the public and the winter environment. For tourists, the program provides a unique chance to explore some of China’s most scenic and often overlooked winter destinations.

Moreover, the policy taps into the growing global interest in winter sports and adventure tourism. China is increasingly positioning itself as a competitive destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with facilities that cater to skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. These developments align with China’s broader goals of becoming a global leader in winter sports, particularly as the nation gears up to host future international events like the Winter Olympics.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Winter Tourism in China

The efforts to attract tourists to northern China has already been successful with the implementation of the snow vacation initiative. The growth of this initiative is expected to continue with the implementation of similar policies in other regions of the country. The focus of these new policies is expected to change winter tourism in China as new attractions and activities are expected to be made available to travelers visiting China for the first time and also to those visiting multiple times.

For travelers to the country snow vacation activities encompass much more than just exploring traditional winter activities like winter holidays; rather they consist of recreational and educational activities outdoors in the snowy mountains. The promise of all the activities is expected to change the winter tourism to China and open the country to all those who wish to experience the winter in a new and fun way.

The country will continue to change and the snow vacation initiative will have a major focus as the country shifts new winter tourism infrastructure and policies. The snow vacation initiative will have a major impact in tourism travel in China stimulating economic growth and winter tourism.