Harbin, host of the 9th Asian Winter Games, is fueling a tourism and economic surge in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Over 1,700 themed merchandise items, from snowflake-shaped pastries to mascot plush toys, are driving record sales, with some products seeing a 500–600% spike in demand, according to Gao Fei, a merchandise store manager at the event.
Travel platform Ctrip reports a 388% annual increase in Harbin-related tourism bookings during the Games, with inbound orders rising 157%. Visitors from Russia, the U.S., Hungary, South Korea, and Thailand are leading international arrivals, drawn by ice sculptures and winter sports.
China’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) edged up 0.5% year-on-year in January, attributed to heightened demand during the Lunar New Year holidays and rising fuel costs. However, the Producer Price Index (PPI) dipped 0.2% monthly, which National Bureau of Statistics chief statistician Dong Lijuan linked to seasonal industrial slowdowns during the festive period.
Analysts say the Games’ ripple effects—from hotel stays to retail—highlight China’s consumer-driven economic resilience. As global audiences tune in to the sports spectacle, Harbin’s cultural and economic footprint continues to expand.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
