Beyond equipment and scenery, the event highlighted the deep integration of tourism with local culture.

During the carnival, Daur villagers hosted village feasts, treating visitors to steaming dumplings and traditional soups. Their warm hospitality bridged gaps between strangers, turning the campsite into a community.

Wang Fang, director of the culture and tourism bureau of the Meilisi Daur ethnic district, said the event serves as a prime example of how the district is expanding the scope of a single camping event into a multifaceted experience.

By combining camping with Daur folk customs, ice sports and local culinary traditions, the district has created a distinctive cultural tourism brand, Wang Fang said. This approach not only attracts tourists but also boosts local employment and income, he added.

According to the China Tourism Academy, the number of ice-and-snow leisure trips is expected to reach 360 million during the 2025-26 winter season, with revenue projected to hit 450 billion yuan ($64.65 billion).

"This vast winter tourism market potential gives us confidence,"Wang Fang said. "It allows rural areas like ours to upgrade infrastructure, improve villagers' livelihoods, and ensure that our countryside remains vibrant and sustainable throughout the winter season."

Xinhua