China's ice and snow tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth. A recent report from the China Tourism Academy (CTA) states the industry has entered a new stage of sustained prosperity. By the end of 2025, a record 14,075 related enterprises were operating.
The CTA forecasts that ice and snow leisure tourism will attract 360 million travelers during the 2025-2026 winter season. This travel activity will generate 450 billion yuan (about US$64.4 billion) in revenue. Interestingly, about 220 million visitors will travel primarily for ice and snow experiences.
Iconic venues like Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world's largest ice and snow theme park, draw massive crowds. Visitors enjoy towering illuminated sculptures and thrilling slides. Nearby, the Changbai Mountain ski resort offers world-class slopes and natural scenery.
China's Ice and Snow Tourism Destinations for 2026
The report highlighted the top ten destinations for ice and snow tourism in 2026. The ranking relies on factors such as resource competitiveness, demand, market performance, governance, and Chinese government support:
- Harbin
- Shenyang
- Changchun
- Zhangjiakou
- Beijing's Yanqing District
- Mudanjiang
- Jilin City
- Hulunbuir
- Urumqi
- Yichun
These northern hubs dominate the list. They widely use legacy infrastructure from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Shifting Trends and Innovations
New products drive this boom. Offerings like ice sculpting workshops, snow photography tours, and themed adventures are increasing. CTA data indicate a strong demand: 74.8% of respondents plan ice and snow activities this winter, and even more, 50.5% are willing to travel long distances.
Consumer spending is evolving from essentials like transport and lodging to experiential costs in entertainment, culture, and technology. This trend indicates higher-quality tourism.
Southern China plays a major role. The region invested 30 billion yuan in 2025 into indoor facilities. This amount represents 30% of the national total. These year-round complexes extend the season beyond natural snow regions.
Building a Comprehensive Industry Chain
CTA experts describe a maturing industrial chain. It includes culture, sports, and manufacturing. Chinese-made skis, snowboards, and equipment gain global traction via e-commerce. This trade builds international partnerships.
The ice and snow economy drives growth. Projections show it will reach 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.
Early Signs of a Record Season
The recent three-day New Year's holiday provided a strong start. Harbin alone welcomed over 4.1 million travelers. They spent 5.56 billion yuan (about US$0.8 billion) and the peak season is coming. Destinations are opening fresh attractions like hot spring campsites and riverside carnivals. The Ice and Snow Sports Super League holds professional events and fun activities like mass snowball fights.
