Northeast China's Shenyang City has launched a series of winter tourism routes that combine ice-snow culture with local characteristics, transforming the region’s cold resources into vibrant market activities.
Local authorities have upgraded infrastructure at various ski resorts and introduced a range of ice-themed amusement projects to welcome tourists from both home and abroad, boosting the local winter tourism market and driving consumption.
"It's excellent to ski here. It feels like I haven't left my hometown. The quality of the snow is superb, and it's not too cold. I feel great!" said Roger, a Russian tourist.
"The ski resort facilities have become more and more complete, and our experience keeps improving," said Guo Ying, one of the skiers.
In addition to expanding the ski resorts, a variety of activities, such as reindeer encounters, have been introduced to attract visitors.
"We've launched over 20 activities at the Snow Village in the Clouds, including interacting with reindeer, bobsledding, ice slides and castles," said Zhang Zhenyu, managing director of Dongbeiya Ski Resort.
As the main venue for the 15th National Winter Games in 2028, Shenyang has also organized a series of competitive events based on its winter sports facilities. Using winter sports events as an opportunity, local authorities have developed a range of accessible ice-snow experiences, incorporating new technologies, business models, and commercial activities.
These efforts offer high-quality experiences for consumers and stimulate ice-snow consumption.
"I hope more people will participate in and promote winter sports," said Zhao Shanshan, the women's freestyle aerials champion at a World Cup event.
Shenyang boosts winter tourism market with comprehensive ski resort upgrades
Instead of pursuing their dreams of a bright future, many youths in Gaza are ending up with their dreams shattered due to the escalating Palestine-Israel conflict.
Nineteen-year-old Mohammed Al Bahri from Gaza City is one of them.
Mohammed was a high school graduate with excellent grades and was successfully admitted to a local medical college last year. He had hopes of becoming a doctor after graduating from the college. Unfortunately, his dream and university life were both cut short after suffering a debilitating injury from as missile strike.
In February, Mohammed, the only boy and also pillar in his family, ventured out to find some food together with several other youths, but was hit by Israeli drone missile attacks.
One of Mohammed's companions was killed on the site, and he himself was seriously injured.
"I started running with a sense of extreme fear and panic, trying to escape to a safe place with my friends. I tried to avoid being tracked by the drone. But when I was running down the street, another drone fired a missile at me. The explosion blew me away and got me falling heavily to the ground. I screamed loudly in pain. It was so painful. I tried to stand up but found that my leg was seriously injured with broken bones, and was bleeding profusely. Five minutes later, another missile hit me," he said.
The attack cost Mohammed his right leg, but his ordeal did not end there.
Since October this year, the Israel Defense Forces continued to increase military operations in northern Gaza, including Beit Lahia, where Mohammed lived.
Mohammed had no choice but to embark on the road to escape.
"We walked on and on until we met Israeli soldiers. They treated me like an able-bodied person, completely disregarding my injury. They checked me with a scanner, then told me to go south. I walked from the Indonesia Hospital to Gaza City. I walked for three hours because of the injury," he said.
Now, Mohammed is no longer able to engage in heavy physical labor and can only rely on the meager income earned from a small booth to eke out a living for his family.
"This war completely affected my life. I have nothing now. The road to healing is long and arduous. My dreams have been shattered," he added.
War dashes hopes for normal life for Gazan youth
