STORY: China's Heilongjiang attracts tourists to ice, snow wonders
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 12, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:04
LOCATION: HARBIN, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Harbin
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI LIAOYANG, Tourist from Hunan Province
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CAO LUYIN, Tourist from Guangdong Province
4. various of the Harbin Ice-Snow World
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): FAN WENXUAN, Tourist from Beijing
6. various of the "Snow Town"
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): WANG QIYAO, Tourist from Shanxi Province
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): WEI SI, Tourist from Guangdong Province

STORYLINE:

This winter, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is drawing tourists with its spectacular ice and snow attractions.

Harbin, the provincial capital, is renowned as China's "crown jewel of ice and snow."

The city is drawing millions of domestic and international visitors, fueled by a significant boom in its ice and snow tourism industry.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI LIAOYANG, Tourist from Hunan Province
"I think everything here is really fun. We're from the south, so we don't usually see snow. It's so nice to see so much snow here in Harbin. We've also experienced ice slides and walked on the frozen river. I think this is a really special trip."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CAO LUYIN, Tourist from Guangdong Province
"We've been here for 5 days, and we're leaving tomorrow. This afternoon, we will visit the Siberian tigers and try ice fishing, which we don't have in the south. I think Harbin is a really charming city, and the biggest impression I have is that the people in northeast China are very warm and welcoming."

The Harbin Ice-Snow World is the largest ice-and-snow theme park in the world.

It attracted over 1 million visitors just 20 days after opening on December 21, 2024.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): FAN WENXUAN, Tourist from Beijing
"I'm from Beijing, and I think the Harbin Ice-Snow World is very beautiful. There are so many people here. But because of it, it doesn't feel as cold. The warmth of everyone also makes the minus 30°C temperature feel less cold."

In addition to Harbin, the "Snow Town" in the city of Mudanjiang has also become a must-see destination for winter tourism.

The town is known for its long winter season and unique mushroom-shaped snow formations.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): WANG QIYAO, Tourist from Shanxi Province
"The scenery in the 'Snow Town' is especially beautiful. It's the first time I've seen such a thick layer of snow on the rooftops. It's stunning, and I really want to touch it. I like it here." 
SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): WEI SI, Tourist from Guangdong Province
"This morning, we got up early, and I took my child skiing, made snowballs, and went down the ice slide. Everyone is welcome to come to the 'Snow Town' and have fun!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harbin, China.
(XHTV)