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China's "Ice City" optimizes transport services to boost tourism

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      China

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      China's "Ice City" optimizes transport services to boost tourism

      2024-12-30 17:29 Last Updated At:19:27

      China's renowned "Ice City" of Harbin is ramping up efforts to strengthen and optimize its transportation services this winter as it aims to offer a better welcome to visitors from home and abroad and showcase its distinctive brand of ice and snow tourism.

      The northeastern Chinese city is set for an extra busy winter as it gears up to play host to the 9th Asian Winter Games, which open on Feb 7 next year and is expected to bring in a further influx of visitors. This will also be the first major international ice and snow event hosted by China since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

      With all preparatory work progressing smoothly, there are also plenty of nods to the upcoming games seen all around Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province.

      The special K5197 train, which departs from Harbin and heads to the popular ski resort of Yabuli Town some 170 kilometers away, features carriages decorated with ice and snow elements, as well as motifs of the Asian Winter Games.

      Passengers on the train can also write their thoughts, feelings, or blessings on the snowflake-shaped postcards and stick them on the windows of the carriage, leaving a personal footprint of their journey.

      "We've also prepared souvenir stamps for passengers to use and mark their trips, featuring the cute designs of the Asian Winter Games mascots, Binbin and Nini," said Gao Jie, a train conductor.

      In addition, passengers can scan the QR code on the train with their phones to easily access information about the major local scenic spots, special foods, and train transfer times.

      Ahead of the Asian Winter Games, the China Railway Harbin Group has launched additional train services connecting major tourist cities across Heilongjiang Province, including Harbin, Mudanjiang, and Jiamusi. These services also cover ski resorts for the games and popular lake tourism areas, providing travelers with more convenient transportation and enhancing their ice and snow tourism experience.

      "We have increased the number of high-speed trains to Yabuli to 34, with more frequent departures than before," said Jiang Bing, a staff member in charge of passenger transport at the China Railway Harbin Group.

      In addition, Harbin has also launched a special shuttle service for the Asian Winter Games, connecting the city's main bus station and the airport. Starting in January, the Harbin Taiping International Airport will increase its capacity to handle more flights, reaching over 60 flights per hour at the peak.

      Along with improvements to transport services, Harbin has also offered tourist amenities like free Wi-Fi and rain and snow gear in its major tourist areas. Many businesses along the streets offer rest areas, hot tea and water, luggage storage, and other services for locals and visitors, with temperatures set to plummet well below freezing.

      China's "Ice City" optimizes transport services to boost tourism

      China's "Ice City" optimizes transport services to boost tourism

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      Israeli strike kills over 30 in eastern Gaza neighborhood

      2025-04-10 19:59 Last Updated At:20:07

      A major Israeli air strike on the Shejaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City Wednesday has left at least 30 people dead, with dozens injured or missing under the rubble.

      Shejaiya is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of Gaza City. In one alley about eight homes have been reportedly hit and massively destroyed.

      Resident Hussam Abu Sakran was trapped under rubbles after the attack. While he was later rescued, his mother did not survive the bombing.

      "My mother was beside me. After the strike, I saw her torn apart. She was gone, just like that. How can I live without her? I don't know what to do. I don't know how I'll go on," he said.

      The local rescue efforts were challenged by limited resources as they sifted through rubbles.

      "Our crew are using the simplest tools, just hammers and bare hands to reach those trapped. We have no proper equipment. The number of the dead and injured is overwhelming, but we're doing everything we can to get them out and to the hospitals," said Ibrahim Abu Al-Rish, a Civil Defense staff member.

      The Shejaiya neighborhood borders Israel, and the Israeli forces have enhanced presence in the area over the past several weeks.

      Israeli strike kills over 30 in eastern Gaza neighborhood

      Israeli strike kills over 30 in eastern Gaza neighborhood

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