Ice & Snow Economy

December 15, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province: Ice sculptors carve a large snow sculpture named “Love Song” for the 29th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo. The headlining snow sculpture, which measures 103 meters long and 31 meters high, has just been completed.

To promote winter tourism and ignite its sluggish economy, the provincial legislature of Heilongjiang recently made the decision to hold an “Ice and Snow Day” on December 20 annually. Stateowned winter sports facilities are open free of charge on that day.

The province’s brutal winter, which lasts about 120 days, was once an obstacle impeding the development of the local economy. However, Heilongjiang has taken measures to transform the cold, snowy season into a resource to boost its economy, which has slowed in recent years amid the country’s economic restructuring.