International Media Delegation Explores Harbin's Innovation and Cultural Heritage

Over 20 International Mainstream Media Outlets Explore Innovation and Vitality in Harbin

A delegation of international mainstream media representatives and internet influencers from 22 countries arrived in Harbin for a four-day tour from July 20 to 23, 2026, to explore the city's scientific innovation, cultural heritage, and growing appeal as a tourist destination. The visit, organized by Xinhua News & Information Center under the Discover China in the New Era campaign, brings journalists from the United States, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and other nations to China's northernmost provincial capital.

The tour, themed "Step into the Summer Capital of Ice City, Feel the Pulse of Innovation," showcases Harbin's transformation from an old industrial base into a hub of technological advancement and international tourism. The city, home to approximately 10 million residents across nine metropolitan districts, two county-level cities, and seven counties, has positioned itself at the intersection of innovation and tradition.

Growing International Tourism Appeal

Harbin's appeal as a tourist destination has surged in recent years. During the 2024-2025 winter season, the city received over 90 million tourists, generating tourism revenue of 137.22 billion yuan (approximately 19 billion US dollars), representing year-on-year increases of 9.7% and 16.6% respectively. International visitor arrivals during the same period surged 94.2% compared to the previous winter season, driven primarily by tourists from Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN countries.

The city's flagship winter attraction, Harbin Ice-Snow World, attracted a record 3.56 million visitors during its 26th edition, which concluded in February 2025. This represented a 31.4% increase compared to the previous year's 2.71 million visitors, underscoring the growing global interest in Harbin's winter tourism offerings.

Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Recognition

As part of their itinerary, visiting journalists stroll along Central Avenue and immerse themselves in the citizen music carnival of "Charming Summer in Harbin." The city's musical heritage runs deep—Harbin became the first city in Asia to be designated as a UNESCO City of Music in 2010, recognized for being home to China's first symphony orchestra founded in 1908 and China's first music school established in 1928. The China-Harbin Summer Concert, which has been held regularly since 1961, stands as China's longest-running musical event.

The delegation also visits the Dream Ice and Snow Museum and experiences the intangible cultural heritage craft of Harbin red sausage, highlighting the city's blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern cultural tourism.

Industrial Innovation and Technological Advancement

A key focus of the tour involves visits to high-tech enterprises, where international media observe how the old industrial base advances industrial upgrading through scientific and technological innovation. From 2021 to 2025, Harbin invested a total of 500 million yuan (approximately 69 million US dollars) to support local enterprises in technological transformation, with an average 20% annual growth in such investment.

The visit to the Harbin Institute of Technology Aerospace Museum provides delegates with insight into China's progress in aerospace technology. The institution established China's first School of Aerospace Engineering among Chinese universities and was the first university to independently develop and launch a small satellite, contributing hundreds of achievements to China's 70 years of space endeavors. This visit allows international journalists to witness China's progress in scientific and technological innovation from independent breakthroughs to open collaboration.

Harbin is recognized as a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, a hometown of Olympic champions, an international wetland city, and a world-class ice and snow tourism destination. The tour itinerary integrates industrial innovation, urban cultural tourism and humanistic heritage, enabling overseas media to witness the city's development and tell stories of China in the new era to global audiences.