With the 30-day countdown to the 2025 Asian Winter Games starting, preparations for the Games have been in top gear in northern Chinese city of Harbin, also a popular ice and snow tourism destination.
As the preparations for the Game have entered its final stage, Harbin has already completed seven of the 14 test events, including figure skating, ice hockey, curling and cross-country skiing.
A speed skating test event is scheduled for this weekend, featuring over 65 athletes competing in seven disciplines. Organizers said that key preparations are well underway, and arrival and departure services have been ready at airports and train stations.
To improve transportation, railway capacity has been enhanced in the city, including adding three dedicated sightseeing trains, as Harbin aims to showcase its commitment to making the Games a success.
Harbin Taiping International Airport, the designated entry and exit hub for the event, has set up a "dedicated customs channel of Asian Winter Games." The Harbin Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station has deployed guidance officers to assist with clearance for event participants and staff.
Since December 17, 2024, Harbin Taiping International Airport has been implementing a 240-hour transit visa exemption policy, extending the original three-day stay to 10 days.
This is in line with China's new its visa-free transit policy, which extends the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the original 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. Effective on December 17 last year, 21 additional ports have been designated for visa-free entry and exit, and the areas in which transit travelers can stay have been expanded, according to a statement from National Immigration Administration.
The number of entry ports where the new policy applies has increased from 39 in 19 provinces to 60 in 24 provinces nationwide, allowing transit visa-exempt tourists to move freely across these specified provincial-level regions during their 10-day stay.
"As the policy is in place now, we no longer need to apply for a Chinese visa for our child, who holds foreign nationality, as we did before. Now, we just need to fly back and can spend about a week in Harbin, then we'll go to Beijing for three days, which will fulfill the requirement of a total of 10 days," said Liu Yicong, an overseas Chinese.
Featuring an extensive air traffic network with 19 international routes connecting with Russia, Japan, South Korea, and other countries and regions, Harbin Taiping International Airport hopes to be well-prepared to welcome participants and officials from across the continent.
The entry and exit services will begin on January 27.
Preparations in top gear in China's Harbin as 30-day countdown to Asian Winter Games starts
Preparations in top gear in China's Harbin as 30-day countdown to Asian Winter Games starts
