Industry News
Tucked into China’s snow-covered northeast, Changbai Mountain Wanda International Resort is emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious winter tourism hubs, blending high-end design, year-round attractions, and massive scale to meet the growing demand for mountain recreation. Located in Jilin Province at the western base of the Changbai Mountains, the resort spans 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles) and sits at 42° north latitude—an ideal zone for reliable snowfall and long winters. The ski area includes more than 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) of trails and a vertical drop of 370 meters (1,214 feet), with terrain designed by Ecosign, the firm behind several Olympic venues, according to the resort’s official website.
This season, Changbai is rolling out a mix of new features to increase its variety of winter offerings. These include the Lady Hip-Hop Park for freestyle skiing and boarding, a family-friendly Magic Forest Academy, and expanded shopping and dining zones, PR Newswire reports. Night skiing trails and a terrain park known as Tiger Ridge add to the mountain’s inbounds terrain, which already includes 30-plus trails and 12 lifts.
Changbai Mountain Wanda is one of the key stops on China’s official “Dreamy Ice & Snow” tourism route, part of a national strategy to boost domestic winter travel. Government projections estimate more than 500 million winter tourism visits this season alone, with the sector expected to generate over CNY 1 trillion (USD $138 billion) in economic output. Behind the resort is Wanda Group, a major Chinese conglomerate with deep experience in property and entertainment development. The company has built Changbai into a four-season destination, anchored not only by ski trails but by a 20,000-square-meter (215,000-square-foot) indoor water park, which includes themed slides, spas, and family play zones. That facility earned international recognition from the World Waterpark Association in 2017.
Outside the water park, the resort offers a wide slate of warm-weather activities: luge cart tracks, forest camps, volcanic hot springs, cable car rides, paragliding, and hot air balloons, all situated in a landscape of rugged mountains and alpine forest. Seasonal programs for kids, arts workshops, and BOOMi-branded family events round out the programming. Lodging is also extensive, with more than 3,200 rooms across 10 hotels, including international names like Park Hyatt, Westin, and Sheraton, as well as Wanda’s own hotel brands. Many of the properties offer mountain-facing views, luxury rooms, or pet-friendly accommodations. The resort can host nearly 10,000 guests at full capacity.
Accessibility is a major strength. Changbai Mountain Airport, located just 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) away, offers direct flights from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Harbin. Complimentary resort shuttles connect arrivals directly to hotel lobbies and base areas. With China’s winter tourism industry growing quickly, Changbai Mountain Wanda International Resort stands out not just for its size, but for its broad mix of recreation, infrastructure, and culture. Between its Olympic-grade slopes, award-winning water park, and deep hospitality footprint, the resort has quietly become one of Asia’s most distinct winter destinations.
Their website claims 1.8 meters of annual snow. Sounds awesome!