Qingdao Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2018 Exclusive Interview: Mudanjiang - The City of Snow with a Breathtaking Landscape in North China

Experience a city with immersive tourism

Sound ecological environment. Green is the most prominent ground color for a city. Forests cover 70% of the city of Mudanjiang where we have ten national forest parks, and eight theme parks filled with green plants in the downtown area. Such a sound ecological environment lays the foundation for Mudanjiang to be a livable city and leaves tourists a wonderful impression.

Perfect public service facilities. Sound infrastructure of a city can facilitate social and economic activities and promote the progress of city planning.

Unique urban culture. A unique and profound urban culture is the essence of a city. Mudanjiang enjoys colorful and mysterious folk cultures. In addition, the city of Mudanjiang has been the residence of ethnic groups in North China from Shang and Zhou Dynasties (1600–221 B.C.) to the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912 A.D.) are present in Mudanjiang. The city boats of Yinggeling culture, Bohai Sea culture from the Tang Dynasty, culture of Ningguta – place for exiled people in Qing Dynasty, culture of “migration to the northeast China”, Northeast United Army culture and the culture of educated youth who helped demystify the Great Northern Wilderness in Northeast China.

Humanism with hospitality and inclusiveness. For tourists, "immersive tourism" is one of the new and exciting ways in which they can experience the city in-depth and absorb its unique attractions.

A comprehensive product system that supports city brand image

First, we find a precise positioning of the city image. We choose “breathtaking landscape in North China” – a phrase from the modern Beijing Opera The Taking of Tiger Mountain – as our slogan “Breathtaking landscape in North China – Mudanjiang, the city of snow”. Mudanjiang is  the place where the story of The Taking of Tiger Mountain” is based. In winter, Mudanjiang becomes a becomes a snow-filled wonderland, with snow drifting in from the mountains – an image that can be best described as “breathtaking landscape in North China”. Second, we have a product system that supports city brand image. Mudanjiang enjoys four distinctive seasons and has a beautiful landscape. It is a glamorous city where spring comes alive with beautiful flowers and lush scenery, while transforming into a cool resort in summer. In autumn, the city brims with life and during winter, it turns into a wonderland of snow and ice. There are national geoparks here, along with the largest lava barrier lake in the world, Jingpo Lake – a certified AAAAA scenic spot While the world knows the city as “China’s Snow Town”, there's also The Siberian Tiger Park in Hengdaohezi town – the largest research base for feline in China and there is an exotic border town between China and Russia. Our tourist attractions form the basis of our brand image. Third, we have various local festivals and events. Every year, Mudanjiang holds events like winter fishing on Jingpo Lake, rime festival in Linkou county, China-Russia winter swimming event, vintage festival of iced grapes, cherry blossom festival on lava plateau, dragon boat race, Korean folk culture festival, Xiangshui rice harvest festival, and gem culture festival in Dongning county. Our aim is to ensure that tourists experiencing our unique culture through these these festivals and events. Furthermore, like any other cities, we promote the city brand image of Mudanjiang via both traditional and new media.

World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) holds various events, providing the city of Mudanjiang with advanced and innovative tourist concepts, and serves as a wonderful platform for us to facilitate communication and cooperation with other Chinese and foreign member cities of the WTCF. Thanks to WTCF, Mudanjiang city has become a more influential international city.