On February 28, 2025, the “Nihao! China” – 2025 China Ice and Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season U.S. event, jointly organized by the Network of International Culturallink Entities of China , China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, Departments of Culture and Tourism of Heilongjiang Province, Shanxi Province, and Lhasa City, with support from the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles and official partner China Eastern Airlines, concluded successfully in Hawaii, USA.

The event was attended by nearly 100 guests, including Daniel Holt, Member of the Hawaii State House of Representatives; Wang Aiqin, Director-General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Shanxi Province; Wan Ting, Deputy Director of the Network of International Culturallink Entities of China; and Wu Dawei, Director of the China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, alongside representatives from local tourism enterprises and media outlets. Through cultural exhibitions, tourism attractions presentations, and networkings, the event showcased unique ice and snow tourism offerings from Heilongjiang, Shanxi, and Xizang, further strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges between China and the United States.

At the event site, guests watched the “Snow Dreams, Chinese Sentiments” themed photo exhibition and short videos on ice-snow culture produced by the National Radio and Television Administration. They were impressed by the ethereal winter landscapes and soaked in the festive ambiance of Chinese New Year traditions.

The cultural and creative exhibits from Shanxi, Heilongjiang, and Lhasa showcased intricate handicrafts brimming with cultural heritage and artisan ingenuity, each piece radiating unique charm. At the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) interactive zone, American participants enthusiastically engaged in Shanxi pastry-making, paper-cutting, and lacquer-polishing demonstrations. Guided by ICH inheritors, attendees crafted their own creations, their focused expressions and joyful laughter adding a vibrant cultural flair to the event.

During the event, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, and Lhasa jointly presented their ice-and-snow-themed cultural and tourism resources. Wang Zhanglong, an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) inheritor from Shanxi, captivated the audience with live demonstrations of noodle-making techniques—hand-pulled noodles, stretched noodles, knife-shaved noodles, and even inflating dough into a balloon—showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship to thunderous applause.

In a symbolic gesture of Sino-American friendship, Wang Aiqin, Director-General of Shanxi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, and Daniel Holt, Hawaii State Representative, jointly displayed freshly made noodles, metaphorically “bridging” cultural ties between the two nations.

Local Hawaiian tourism companies then introduced customized travel packages to China, highlighting captivating itineraries through vivid presentations. These efforts deepened American attendees’ understanding of China’s winter tourism offerings, extending heartfelt invitations to explore the country’s pristine snowscapes and vibrant icy wonderlands.

The event also featured a heartfelt session with Sandra Lum and Arthur Kluvo, two Hawaiian travelers who were among the first U.S. tour groups to visit China in January 2024 following the pandemic. They shared vivid testimonials of their journey through northeastern China, recounting awe-inspiring moments—from snow-covered landscapes to the warmth of local hospitality—that left a lasting impression.

“The trip not only revealed the breathtaking beauty of China’s winter wonderlands but also deepened our appreciation for the kindness and generosity of its people,” they expressed. Their storytelling transported the audience into the magical realm of China’s icy landscapes, symbolizing the profound bond forged between Chinese and American communities through their shared passion for ice and snow.