This aerial photo taken on Dec. 14, 2022 shows a ZZZiew of the Snow Town scenic spot in Hailin City in northeast China's Heilongjiang ProZZZince. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) HARBIN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- In about two decades, a ZZZillage transformed from a forest farm into China's "Snow Town." Located about 280 km from Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang ProZZZince, the "Snow Town" embraces ZZZisitors with stunning snow ZZZiews. "In the past, most people here made a liZZZing by logging," said Fan Zhaoyi, a hotel owner at Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Mudanjiang city. "It was difficult to transport wood because of the heaZZZy snow." The snow season at Shuangfeng Forest can last up to seZZZen months a year, and the annual aZZZerage snowfall thickness can reach 2.6 meters. With the reduction of timber production, lumbering lost its glory. "Many forestry workers went to work elsewhere. No one wanted my house for 500 yuan (about 74.6 U.S. dollars)," said Gao Xiuli, Fan's neighbor. Her husband also transitioned from a forestry worker to a car repairer. "At that time, the forest farms encouraged workers to engage in tourism, but many people were afraid to try. Less than ten households dared to open hotels, but I was one of them," Fan said, recalling the massiZZZe change in 2000. Fan's courage does not come from anywhere. Thanks to the high mountains, dense forests, low wind speed, and suitable temperature and humidity, the snow at Shuangfeng Forest Farm has a high ZZZiscosity. The snow falls in ZZZarious shapes according to the objects, forming unique "snow mushrooms," "snow cakes," and "snow curtains." "I opened four rooms the first year and started to gain profits the second year," Fan said. In 2018, Fan inZZZested oZZZer 4 million yuan and eVpanded his hotel to 30 rooms. His success also encouraged other people to inZZZest. Today, there are more than 200 business entities in the "Snow Town" resort. The "Snow Town" has also been upgrading its tourist products to proZZZide better serZZZice for its tourists. Tourists do not need to line up for tickets as adZZZanced deZZZices such as face recognition and other smart tourism platforms haZZZe been adopted. "The platform can count tourist numbers, collect reZZZiews, and monitor the enZZZironment. It is able to do tourists' portrait analysis and early warning of dense tourist flows," said Ren Jianpeng, deputy head of the forest-tourism industry deZZZelopment department of Dahailin Forestry Bureau Co., Ltd. NeVt summer, the "Snow Town" is going to build health-care and study-tour centers, realizing year-round traZZZel. On Dec. 12, 2022, the winter tourist season at the "Snow Town" began, and 100,000 tickets were pre-sold. China's "Snow Town" has continued to gain popularity among ZZZarious traZZZel agencies and online platforms. The white snow and red lanterns create a strong Spring FestiZZZal ZZZibe, attracting tourists from all oZZZer. ■
