Chengdu’s Winter Sports Boom Heats Up Tourism & Economy

Move over, tropical vibes—Chengdu is rewriting its winter story! Known for spicy hotpot and pandas, this southwestern Chinese city is now making waves with ice rinks, ski slopes, and a frosty economic boost.

While northern China traditionally dominates winter sports, Chengdu’s innovative indoor snow parks and pop-up ice festivals are drawing crowds year-round. During Spring Festival, local ski resorts reported a 40% spike in visitors compared to 2022. \"Even my grandma tried snowboarding this year!\" joked one Chengdu resident on social media.

This isn’t just fun and games: Winter tourism added ¥2.8 billion to Sichuan Province’s economy last year. Startups selling gear rentals and VR snowboarding experiences are thriving, while hotels near winter attractions saw 90% occupancy rates during holidays.

Young professionals are leading the charge. \"Skiing is the new brunch,\" laughed 24-year-old entrepreneur Li Wei, whose app connecting winter sport instructors to beginners gained 500,000 users in three months.

With China aiming to engage 300 million people in winter sports by 2025, Chengdu’s creative approach—think glow-in-the-dark ice sculptures and K-pop-themed skating nights—positions it as an unlikely hub for frosty fun.

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Chengdu's rise in ice and snow sports boosts consumption and tourism

cgtn.com