Xi’an, Feb. 26, 2026 (Xinhua/NAN) Though early spring has arrived, icy waterfalls still cling to the slopes of Qinling Mountains in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, while skiers sweep down snowy runs across the Loess Plateau.
Across both southern and northern Shaanxi, winter’s chill is being transformed into economic opportunity, as ice-and-snow tourism revitalizes rural communities and reshapes the regional economy.
In Shangluo, nestled deep in the Qinling range, restaurateur Wu Xianpeng has found himself unusually busy this winter.
Operating a small eatery in the Jiangshan scenic area, Wu said tourist arrivals since January have upended the traditional off-season lull.
Normally the scenic area closes in late October, and I will have to look for work elsewhere.
“I didn’t expect to be so busy this winter that I hardly have time to spend with my children,” Wu said.
According to Li Yong, an official with the scenic area’s administrative committee, the site historically generated no revenue during winter months.
That changed this year after operators used the natural terrain to create a snow park and icefall attractions, drawing a steady stream of visitors.
Tourist Zhang Xue, who spent a full day at the site with her child, said the new winter offerings have filled a long-standing gap.
“There wasn’t much to do here in winter before. Now we can enjoy snow activities and experience traditional cultural heritage like clay sculpture and shadow puppetry,” she said.
Local authorities say the shift marks a broader transformation. Wang Qiufeng, deputy director of Shangluo’s culture and tourism bureau, noted that the city’s tourism market once thrived only in summer.
“Winter used to be idle. Now it’s becoming a new channel for farmers to increase their income,” she said.
Further north in Yan’an, winter has also reshaped rural life. In Yaoxian Village, perched 1,600 meters above sea level, temperatures often plunge below minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Recognised for its natural suitability for cross-country skiing, the village was designated as a winter sports base.
From Dec. 8, 2025, to Feb. 17, 2026, ski teams trained daily on its slopes.
“For generations, winter meant rest for both people and land,” said village Party chief Ruan Changguo.
“Now the same land ‘grows’ ski trails in winter and corn in spring.”
Some 78 mu (5.2 hectares) of sloped farmland now rotates seasonally between ski runs and crops.
A once-vacant school building has been converted into an athlete service centre, creating new jobs for villagers.
The trend extends across northern Shaanxi.
Ski resorts in Yan’an have reported weekend visitor numbers exceeding 1,000, while neighbouring Yulin has built more than 30 ski venues and hosted the province’s first winter games this February.
What was once a dormant season is fast becoming a new engine of growth across Shaanxi’s mountains and plateaus. (Xinhua/NAN)
