Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region – The 21st Inner Mongolia Ice and Snow Naadam Festival commenced on December 21, transforming the frozen Yimin River into a spectacular winter tourism destination. This year’s edition marks a historic departure from tradition by utilizing the river’s icy surface as its primary venue for the first time, creating an unprecedented integration of cultural heritage and innovative tourism experiences.
The expansive 70,000-square-meter festival grounds feature five distinct functional areas designed to immerse visitors in authentic Mongolian culture. These include traditional Mongolian yurt clusters, intricate ice sculpture photography spots, professional travel photography zones, a vibrant food market showcasing local cuisine, and interactive herdsmen experience areas. The festival’s architectural elements incorporate snow-constructed stages, forest-themed wooden cabins, thermally insulated yurts, and a unique 360-degree circular ice stage adorned with elaborate snowflake patterns.
Complementing the main venue, the adjacent ‘Rongrong Snow World’ creates a comprehensive winter tourism circuit offering diverse snow and ice activities. Hulunbuir’s geographical advantages – including an extended snow season, premium snow quality, varied topography, and rich cultural heritage – have established the region as a premier winter tourism destination within Inner Mongolia and across China. The successful hosting of twenty consecutive Ice and Snow Naadam Festivals demonstrates the region’s growing prominence in winter tourism.
The opening ceremonies featured vibrant cultural performances including traditional dance on ice and intangible cultural heritage parades, attracting substantial domestic and international visitor attendance. This fusion of traditional Naadam elements with innovative winter tourism approaches represents a significant advancement in cultural tourism integration, offering both economic benefits to the region and unique cultural experiences to visitors.