STORY: "Ice City" welcomes influx of visitors amid winter tourism boom
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 1, 2025
LENGTH: 00:00:57
LOCATION: HARBIN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY 

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Harbin Ice-Snow World
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): Tourist from Israel
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CRAIG LAPTHORNE, Tourist from Australia
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): Tourist from China's Hunan
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): Tourist from China's Hunan

STORYLINE:

Harbin, often called the "Ice City," has become one of China's most popular winter travel destinations, drawing visitors worldwide. 

This year, it has seen a new wave of international tourists, who are eager to experience the city's historical and winter wonders.

The Harbin Ice-Snow World is a renowned seasonal theme park that enjoys great popularity every winter.

The world's largest ice park showcases ice sculptures of landmarks from various member countries and regions of the Olympic Council of Asia, as well as snow sculptures depicting different winter sports.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): Tourist from Israel
"Hello, China. (It's) my first time here in Harbin. I've been to many countries and I never see anything close to that. Amazing, only in China."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CRAIG LAPTHORNE, Tourist from Australia
"It's amazing that they can build this out of ice, also these activities for children as well. And it's something for everybody. We, first time ever to see this and we'll never forget this. Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!"

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): Tourist from China's Hunan 
"I think it is very interesting, because we are from the southern part of China. I think it is so much fun to come to Harbin to enjoy the snow scenery."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): Tourist from China's Hunan
"Although I can't ski on the 2025 Asian Winter Games venues, the experience of skiing here is also very interesting. Go Asian Winter Games!"

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