Ice City's a hot spot

The Games have driven rapid growth in the ice and snow tourism market in Harbin, and even across the whole province, significantly enhancing Heilongjiang's international influence and visibility.

"Heilongjiang boasts picturesque natural landscapes and abundant ice and snow resources, making it a renowned ice and snow tourism destination, both domestically and internationally," said Qi Bin, deputy director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. "We have developed 10 ice and snow tourism themed routes based on Heilongjiang's unique frontier culture, ice and snow culture, and folk culture, as well as organizing a series of distinctive ice and snow cultural activities."

In recent years, the province's public security department has focused on protecting tourism throughout the seasons and regions, meeting the needs and expectations of tourists, and striving to create a secure tourism environment.

"We have established a specialized command system and formulated tourism protection plans," said Deng Chi, deputy director of the department. "We have enhanced security management in tourist areas and increased police presence at tourist attractions and commercial streets to ensure smooth traffic flow and resolutely guarantee safety."

"During severe weather conditions, we will intensify road traffic management and issue timely alert messages," he said. "We have also implemented various service measures, such as establishing green channels for issuing and replacing identification cards, providing more than 5,000 convenient services for tourists, including locating individuals, lost and found items and rescue assistance."

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn