Why tours to Harbin become big hits

Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province in northeast China, received thousands of tourists from every corner of the country this winter. Tours to this snowy place are now big hits. And Harbin gives its warmest welcome by offering tourists various entertainment projects. Hot air balloons, man-made moon, online-celebrity penguins, reindeer of Oroqen people can be seen. And even their specialty, frozen pears are served well displayed. Heating hubs are also built for tourists.

Consequently, Harbin received more than 3 million tourists during the short 3-day holiday of New Year’s Day, bringing this frozen place a total tourism revenue of 6 billion yuan.

Experts think that the reason why Harbin is a big-hit destination is that the ice and snow tourism in Harbin has a history of more than 60 years. Harbin has abundant resources in this field. In addition, great business environment, service standard and trendy topics posted via new media win Harbin great reputation and praise from consumers.
Facing problems head-on

One of the reasons is that Harbin solves problems head-on without avoiding. The opening day of Harbin Ice and Snow World has received 40 thousand tourists on Dec. 18 last year. However, some of the tourists were seeking refunding because of unexpectedly long queuing time that they could not enjoy the popular items. And some of them even shouted at the site.

As the videos of such issues were on top search soon, the Harbin municipal culture and tourism bureau has worked in time guiding the spot to improve its arrangement. The immediate rectification overnight brought the place’s reputation back by extending sincere apologies and offering refund.

This accident didn’t hurt Harbin’s tourism, but showed sincerity to all people concerned. Some Harbin locals worried about it, too. So, they offered free shuttle service with their own cars.

Hot topics like “Little potatoes (People from the south of China are mostly much shorter than those from the north) from the south venture out to Harbin” constantly going on top around Dec. 24 in 2023. Harbin is still favored by people from the south.

Presenting its best to tourists

After the topic “Thousands of people enjoy disco in Harbin Ice and Snow World” went on top search at the bottom of December last year, Harbin offered tourists almost everything they have.

To give tourists better experience, Harbin flies hot air balloons over the Songhua river and offered service of hovercraft on ice. When tourists want snow-covered landscape under the moonlight, St. Sophia Cathedral even bring them a man-made moon 40 meters above the roof whose diameter is 5 meters. Tourists are fond of penguins. So they brought out their online-celebrity penguins.

Before the New Year’s Day, airline stewardesses in the Taiping International Airport of Harbin danced for passengers. Markets in the city held symphony orchestras. Iron forging show can be seen on squares. Even ostriches were cruising on the Centre Street and kids can ride them. Oroqen folks were invited to perform with their reindeer. Three Arctic foxes were brought out to Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival Scenic Spot. People from the south don’t know how to eat their specialty, frozen pears, so they cut it open and well displayed the fruit to them.

What’s more, tourists received travel strategy to Harbin Institute of Technology and the culture and tourism departments even mapped out a rout for them to better enjoy city walk. Heating hubs were built on squares for them, too.

Due to the increased number of passengers traveling between the Ice and Snow World and Sun Island during the peak season , to facilitate the travel of tourists, a two-way free passage channel has been opened on Metro Line 2 since 13:30 on Dec. 25, last year. The public can obtain free tickets at the intelligent service centers of both stations.

Staff at the St. Sophia Cathedral scenic area said "From around December 5th to New Year's Day, the number of visitors to our scenic area has indeed increased, reaching its peak during the New Year holiday. Many new things have appeared recently, and as a resident of Harbin, there are things I have not seen, played, or eaten before."

Han Yuanjun, deputy researcher at the China Tourism Research Institute, believes that the Beijing Winter Olympics has encouraged over 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports, driving more people to engage in the tourism.

In fact, the foundation for ice and snow consumption is already very solid. Harbin itself has been developing the industry for more than 60 years and has abundant resources. At the same time, its products are diverse, with many unique elements nationwide.

Han also believes that the shift from pursuing beautiful scenery to a better quality of life, coupled with the dissemination of new media, provides more ways for people to understand a city. What people are pursuing is essentially an aspirational way of life.

"Harbin is hosting the 2025 Asian Winter Games, so the popularity of tourism may continue till next year,"

Source: Beijing Youth Daily; trans-editing by Wang Yunya