Qipan Mountain, located in Shenyang City, is coated in white in the depth of winter. Recently, the scenic spot welcomed more than 100 foreign officials working at the foreign agencies stationed in Liaoning and international students experiencing Shenyang’s unique cultural tourism characterized by ice-snow and lantern exhibitions. On January 27th, the cultural and tourism activities of “Hello, Shenyang; Hello, Liaoning” were co-organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Liaoning Province and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shenyang Municipality, inviting international friends to visit Shenyang and experience its charm.          

In the Qipanshan Ice and Snow World, the Moroccan student Hicham from Shenyang University tried various winter sports activities such as snow tubing and motorcycle ice racing. “It’s my first time to do such exhilarating sports, to slide down a high snow slope and ride at a lightning speed on the shiny ice surface.” Hicham said excitedly. The Indian student Tanya Malik and Pakistan student Madiha Nawaz took numerous photos with amazement while they enjoyed themselves. “I’ve never seen such thick snow and gorgeous scenery in other places. I am going to photograph the whole scene and post it to my social media account so that the whole world can enjoy the beauty of Shenyang.” Tanya Malik said.

It has become highly popular among visitors in Shenyang to experience the winter sports during the daytime and stroll down the folk streets to appreciate lanterns in different shapes. As the night falls, varieties of lanterns in Guandong Movie & TV Town of Shenyang are lit up one after another, presenting a lively Spring Festival lantern exhibition appealing to tourists at home and abroad.

Walking through rows of arches with lotus lanterns hanging high, international visitors were instantly astounded by the majestic dragon lantern, lovely jellyfish lantern, colorful peacock lantern and exquisite orchid lantern. Colorful fireworks were accompanied by festive music and a pair of flying lanterns shaped in dragon and phoenix, presenting a spectacular show to all, including international students and the staff working at foreign-owned enterprises. They could not help exclaiming in admiration and recording this lovely moment with cameras and phones.     

It was the second visit of Erich Kaiserseder, the general manager of Conrad Shenyang, to the lantern exhibition and firework show. “Flourishing lantern exhibitions will certainly attract more tourists, hence becoming another brand of cultural tourism in Shenyang.” said Erich Kaiserseder, “We are also preparing to set up booths in our hotel to introduce Shenyang’s unique tourism featuring ice-snow and lantern exhibitions and its glamorous tourist culture to more people.”