Festival Kicks Off in Jilin Province
The 29th Changchun Ice and Snow Festival officially commenced on Friday, December 19, 2025, in Changchun, the capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. This annual event transforms the city into a winter wonderland, drawing visitors with its elaborate ice and snow attractions.
The primary venue for the festivities is the Changchun Ice and Snow New World, an upgraded attraction spanning a planned area of 1.56 million square meters, with 760,000 square meters dedicated to ice and snow recreation. The festival typically runs from mid-December until late February, offering a prolonged period for visitors to experience its offerings.
A World of Ice and Snow Attractions
The 7th iteration of the Changchun New World of Ice and Snow for the 2025-2026 season is themed 'Ice and Snow Bless China, National Unity'. Visitors can explore a vast array of features, including:
- Over 200 ice and snow sculptures, ranging from intricate designs to massive ice castles.
- Eight themed zones, such as the Snow Lotus Dance Area, Splendid China Area, Ice Paradise, Rime Cloud Palace, Snow Fun Hub, Ice and Snow Entertainment Zone, Ice and Snow Competition Area, and Arctic Glacier.
- More than 30 entertainment activities, including four major slides, eight smaller slides, and 36 children's slides.
- Nighttime illuminations that create a magical atmosphere.
Additionally, the 'Ice & Snow Lantern Festival' at Changchun Lotus Island Film and Television Leisure Culture Park, part of the broader festival, is set to run until March 8, 2026. This event features a core theme of 'Red Lanterns Aloft', integrating traditional Northeast China's Spring Festival customs with dazzling lantern displays and intangible cultural heritage fireworks performances.
Economic and Cultural Significance
The Changchun Ice and Snow Festival, which originated in 1998, has grown into a significant event, attracting millions of visitors over its history and contributing substantially to the region's winter tourism economy. Changchun is consistently recognized as one of China's top 10 cities for ice and snow tourism, with Jilin Province positioned as a leading destination for winter activities.
In conjunction with the festival's opening, the 9th Jilin International Ice and Snow Tourism Industry Exposition also commenced in Changchun on December 19, 2025. This expo brings together over 400 companies from across the global industry chain, showcasing the latest developments in winter tourism, equipment, and cultural experiences. The expo, spanning 61,500 square meters, highlights Jilin's growing role as a global hub for ice and snow tourism, culture, and industries.
5 Comments
Loubianka
Fantastic for local businesses and tourism. Jilin thriving!
Noir Black
It's wonderful that it promotes cultural unity and tourism, yet I hope the focus remains on traditional artistry rather than solely on commercial appeal.
Eugene Alta
The environmental impact of such massive ice structures must be huge.
anubis
The economic benefits for Jilin are clear, attracting global attention, but we should also consider the potential long-term ecological footprint of such a massive annual event.
eliphas
Just another commercialized event, losing its authentic feel.