Summer travel heats up in northeast China's Harbin

(ECNS) -- Following last winter’s popular snow and ice attractions, Northeast China's Harbin city this summer continues its popularity with its unique experience of “time travel” that bridges summer and winter. 

As the world's largest ice and snow-themed amusement park, Harbin Ice and Snow World maintains minus 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. This stands in stark contrast to the highest outdoor temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius in Beijing and 38 degrees Celsius in Shanghai on July 21.

“We appreciate ice lanterns, and take pictures with a popular snowman, feeling like a ‘time travel’ in which I enjoy winter in summer,” said Mr. Chen, a tourist from south China’s Guangzhou city.

Besides experiencing the distinctive “time travel” across summer and winter, the city is attracting tourists with a variety of performances, including the "Meet Harbin" immersive riverside show, the Harbin International Beer Festival, and more.

This summer the booking orders of Harbin’s culture and tourism sector (including transportation, accommodation and scenic spots) have seen a year-on-year growth of 32 percent, with Harbin ranking first among cities of Heilongjiang Province in terms of travel destinations, according to data from Meituan, a China’s large retail company.

This summer the orders of travel to Harbin increased by 11 percent year on year, with inbound travel orders surging by 106 percent year on year, according to data from Ctrip, China’s large travel agency.