In a remarkable display of outdoor enthusiasm overcoming extreme weather, thousands of camping devotees converged on the frozen landscapes of Northeast China for the fourth annual Northeast Camping Carnival. The event, held from January 12-18 in Hala village within Qiqihar’s Meilisi Daur ethnic district, transformed the typically dormant winter scene into a vibrant hub of activity.
Among the participants was Zhu Yongyu, who embarked on an extraordinary 3,000-kilometer journey from Guangdong province in southern China. After six days of driving through dramatically changing climates, Zhu achieved his goal of experiencing sub-zero camping at -30°C—a stark contrast to the temperate conditions of his home region.
“I’ve exhausted all camping scenarios in Guangdong, but snow camping represents an entirely new frontier of challenge,” Zhu explained while maintaining his tent’s interior warmth with a gas stove. “This unique experience justified the extensive travel.”
The festival reached a milestone this year with over 1,000 tents pitched across the snow-blanketed grasslands, marking the first time the event has surpassed this threshold. The spectacle of colorful shelters dotting the silver plains symbolized a significant evolution in China’s winter tourism patterns.
Local authorities note that the traditional concept of winter hibernation has been replaced by growing economic vitality driven by integrated ice-and-snow sports, cultural activities, and outdoor leisure pursuits. The camping carnival demonstrates how extreme weather conditions, once seen as a limitation, have been reimagined as a unique attraction drawing visitors from across China.
The event’s success highlights how specialized tourism initiatives can stimulate regional economies during traditionally slow seasons while providing urban dwellers with unprecedented access to winter wilderness experiences.