With tourists flocking to Harbin in China’s Northeast to attend the Asian Winter Games, local taxi driver Xu Feng wanted to find an original way to celebrate.

The influence of the Asian Winter Games has extended far beyond Harbin, fueling a nationwide winter tourism boom. Since December 2024, winter sports enthusiasm has surged across the country, with a notable trend of "northern snow heading south" as regions in southern China expand their ice and snow offerings.

Asian Winter Games began with an opening ceremony in Harbin, China, featuring 34 participating countries across 11 sports.

On February 7, the 9th Asian Winter Games opened in Harbin, dubbed China's “Ice City”. To ensure the success of this largest winter sports event in As

Han Linshan (L), Liu Mengting (C) and Yang Ruyi of China celebrate after the Freestyle Skiing women's freeski big air final match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Harbin could consolidate its position as one of the world's leading winter tourism destinations. If used properly, this edition of the Asian Winter Games could be a turning point for the city and the rest of the northeast region, transforming it into a global center for winter sports and ice and snow-related tourism.

Silver medalists Chen Meiting (L)/Xu Mengtao of China pose during the awarding ceremony for the freestyle skiing women's aerials synchro final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)