Rebecca Needham, acting political counsellor of the New Zealand Embassy in China, expressed her enthusiasm for exploring winter tourism in Northeast China, particularly the popularity of skiing and winter sports among Chinese tourists. Needham, part of a diplomatic delegation comprising senior officials from various foreign embassies and consulates in China, visited Jingpo Lake and Snow Town in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province.
The delegation, including representatives from Austria, Switzerland, Lebanon, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Poland, Mongolia, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Kazakhstan, Finland, Pakistan, and the US, embarked on a five-day trip covering key attractions in Harbin, Shangzhi, and Mudanjiang. The itinerary featured notable sites such as Jingpo Lake, the Snow Town, the Ice and Snow Festival, the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Show, and the Central Street.
The diplomats also planned visits to the Yabuli Sports Training Base, the skiing competition venues for the Asian Winter Games, and the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center. Their schedule includes experiences in skiing and curling, offering insights into the preparations for the upcoming Asian Winter Games scheduled for 2025 in Harbin.
Rebecca Needham highlighted the rising popularity of winter sports among domestic Chinese tourists and expressed interest in promoting New Zealand as a winter tourism destination for Chinese travelers. The delegation, after witnessing a traditional winter fishing ceremony on the frozen Jingpo Lake, showcased their excitement for skiing at the Yabuli Ski Resort, known for hosting prestigious winter sports events.
This winter has marked a significant season for Harbin, with heightened interest in winter destinations following a surge of Chinese tourists to the city. During the three-day New Year’s Day holiday, Harbin witnessed approximately 3.05 million tourist trips, generating a historic tourism revenue of about 5.91 billion yuan ($832 million), according to local official data.