As the 2022 Winter Olympics approach, China is experiencing a winter sport and recreation boom. During the 2022 new year holiday, tourists flocked to resorts to enjoy skating, sledding, skiing, and snowboarding.
Chinese people are expected to make over 305 million trips for winter sports activities over the current season, a 20% increase from last winter, according to a report on China's ice and snow tourism development released by China Tourism Academy on Jan. 5.
The academy also released a list of the 10 most popular ice and snow resorts in China. Here, we take a look at their top picks:
1. Beijing Shijinglong Ski Resort
A kid enjoys snow football during the 8th Beijing citizen's Happy Ice and Snow Season at Beijing Shijinglong ski resort. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Beijing
Built in 1999, Shijinglong Ski Resort was the first comprehensive ski resort built in Beijing. It's six ski runs, about 4,600 meters in total, catering to all skiers.
Apart from skiing, the resort also offers a variety of activities and recreational facilities, including sleighing, snow cycling, a kids' center, a snow spa, and a hot spring bath.
2. Changbaishan International Resort
A skier enjoys the sport at Changbaishan Ski Resort in northeast China's Jilin Province on Nov. 15, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Baishan, Jilin
The Changbaishan International Resort, one of China's first national-level tourist resorts, is located in Fusong County, Baishan City, Jilin province, covering an area of 21 square kilometers. It is only 10 kilometers away from the Changbaishan Airport.
The resort features the Changbaishan mountains, top ski resorts, hot springs, golf clubs, amusement parks, shopping malls, and first-class hotels.
3. Changchun Ice and Snow Grand World
Changchun Ice and Snow Grand World, on Dec. 12, 2020. [Photo/VCG]
Location: Changchun, Jilin
Changchun Ice and Snow Grand World is located at Lianhua Mountain holiday resort in Changchun, China's Jilin Province.
Covering an area of 1.38 million square meters, the recreational park has over 160 ice buildings and snow sculptures, including an ice slide of more than 500 meters long.
In the 2021-2022 winter season, Changchun Ice and Snow Grand World will offer more than 40 recreational facilities and 1,500 ice and snow performances, bringing visitors enjoyable experiences.
4. Beijing Yuyang International Ski Resort
Children practice their skills at Yuyang International Ski Resort in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Beijing
Yuyang International Ski Resort is a large and new ski resort that opened in 2005. Located in the Pinggu district, east of Beijing, it is one of the largest resorts within a short driving distance of the capital's urban area.
The gentle slopes, modern facilities, comfortable hotels, and restaurants can offer a day of fun for families.
5. Jingpo Lake Scenic Area
The frozen waterfalls of Jingpo Lake in northeast China's Heilongjiang province. [Photo/VCG]
Location: Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province
Located in the suburbs of Mudanjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the Jingpo Lake, or literally the Mirror Lake, is the largest alpine lava barrier lake in China.
The lake was formed 10,000 years ago when volcanic eruptions blocked the Mudan River. It is 45 kilometers long from north to south and 6 kilometers long at the widest point from east to west, covering 95 square kilometers.
In the cold wintertime, when the water flow comes to a stop, a spectacular ice waterfall is formed. However, the deep lake remains unfrozen because of an underground hot spring.
As one of China's UNESCO Global Geoparks, Jingbo Lake is a haven for scientists and travelers with an eye for natural wonders.
6. Chongli Ski Resort
An 11-month-old baby girl named Wang Yuji practices snowboarding at Thaiwoo Ski Resort in Chongli District of Zhangjiakou City, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 18, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Zhangjiakou, Hebei province
Home to seven ski resorts with different features, Chongli district of Zhangjiakou city of Hebei province boasts the most extensive ski zone in China. The district has 169 ski slopes of 162 kilometers in total length and 67 ski lifts of various types.
Chongli will serve as one of the main venues to stage most skiing events during the 2022 Winter Olympics.
7. Qishan Ski Resort
Map of the Qishan Ski Resort. [Photo/Official Sina Weibo account of Qishan Ski Resort]
Location: Baoding, Hebei province
Qishan Ski Resort is located in the city of Baoding in Hebei province. Surrounded by mountains, the resort is suitable for skiing. It covers an area of 700,000 square meters and boasts 16 slopes for skiers of all ability levels.
8. Yabuli Ski Resort
A tourist snowboards at a ski resort in Yabuli town, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang province
As the largest ski resort in China, Yabuli Ski Resort is popular among beginners and professional skiers. It hosted the 1996 Winter Asian Games, the 2008 National Winter Games, and the 2009 Winter Universiade and serves as the primary training venue for China's national teams. The resort has 50 ski slopes and 25 ski lifts and boasts the country's most extensive ski jumping facilities. Abundant snow activities and one-package service, including hotel, dining, and other leisure activities, are available in the resort.
9. Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition
Snow sculptors work on the central snow sculpture at the 34th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 24, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang province
As part of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition attracted many visitors every year. Located in the Sun Island Scenic Area, the expo features competitions and a display of giant sculptures made from compacted snow. In addition, a cross-country skiing competition was also held during the latest 34th expo.
10. Harbin Ice and Snow World
An aerial photo shows tourists visiting the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, on Dec. 25, 2021. The 23rd Harbin Ice-Snow World opened to the public on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang province
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province, China's northeastern-most region. With its arctic climate and abundant ice and snow, the city is known as China's "Ice City." The Harbin Ice and Snow World is one of the world's largest theme parks of ice and snow, with an area of 820,000 square meters. It features gigantic sculptures, illuminated castles made from ice blocks, various kinds of amusement facilities, and stage shows. Established in 1999, the park usually opens from late December to February. Each year the park is rebuilt with newly designed buildings and sculptures.
The 23rd Harbin Ice and Snow World, with the theme of celebrating the Winter Olympics, opened on Dec. 25, 2021. The central ice tower is 42 meters tall and resembles the lighted Olympic torch.
