When the Min Mountains are blanketed in pure white snow and the source of the Fu River freezes into crystalline ice, Pingwu County in Mianyang City enters its most enchanting ice and snow season. In recent years, leveraging its unique ice and snow resources and ecological advantages, Pingwu has meticulously built a diversified ice and snow industry system centered on the "ice and snow+" concept. This system integrates ecological research at Wanglang, dynamic skiing at Huya, and supporting upgrades at Yaocong Mountain, successfully transforming "cold resources" into a "hot economy" and forging a new path where ecological protection and economic development complement each other.
At the Wanglang section of the Giant Panda National Park, the primeval forest, with an average tree age exceeding 500 years, is draped in silver, with hanging usnea lichen and whispering icy streams creating a pure and solemn ice and snow paradise. This area is not only home to over 70 species of national key protected wildlife, including giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys, but has also achieved a leap from closed protection to open education. By constructing facilities like the "Panda Reception Hall" and nature education trails, it has earned the title of "National Social Practice Base for Environmental Education in Primary and Secondary Schools." The Wanglang winter research program turns the icy environment into a vivid natural textbook. Centered on themes like "Exploring the Panda's Homeland," it has developed 18 courses across 7 categories, employing the internationally recognized PBL (Project-Based Learning) model guided jointly by research experts and reserve rangers.
Participants in the "Winter Wildlife Science Camp" can become "junior scientists," tracking footprints in the snow, installing infrared cameras, and learning ecological monitoring, personally experiencing the joy of scientific research and conservation. Furthermore, fun activities such as ice and snow cosplay, creative snowman competitions, and wish-making check-ins at Ganhaizi, alongside concurrent outdoor gear exhibitions, perfectly blend ecological education with leisure and entertainment. In 2025, the Wanglang area received 165,000 visitors, generating direct revenue exceeding 22 million yuan.
With a total investment of approximately 150 million yuan, the Huya Ski Resort has commenced trial operations. Located in the Min Mountains at an altitude of about 2,400 meters, the resort boasts a high-quality snow season lasting up to four months. The first phase has constructed ski slopes covering a total area of about 80,000 square meters, featuring beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails, along with a family snow play area, complemented by professional equipment and instructional services, effectively filling the gap for large-scale winter sports projects in the region. The Huya Ski Resort forms a dynamic synergy with the nearby Huya Grand Canyon ice waterfall spectacle, creating a contrast between movement and tranquility. The frozen, layered ice waterfalls resemble natural ice sculptures, perfectly complementing the thrill of skiing. Through facility upgrades and enhanced safety measures, the scenic area has launched combined "skiing + ice viewing" products, extending the visitor experience chain and boosting surrounding accommodation, dining, and local specialty sales, injecting new vitality into rural development.
The market response was enthusiastic after the trial operation reservation channel opened, with beta testers giving high praise for the slope quality and services. Simultaneously, the construction of the Yaocong Mountain Ski Resort is in its final stages. With a planned area of nearly 40,000 square meters, it will be equipped with a visitor service center, intermediate and beginner slopes, a snow play park, and a large parking lot. Focusing on optimizing the experience, the project has introduced over 20 imported snowmaking machines and 3,000 sets of new ski equipment. Designs such as direct elevator access to the service hall and separate magic carpets for different zones aim to enhance safety and comfort. In the future, Yaocong Mountain and Huya Ski Resort will complement each other in terms of visitor demographics and form regional synergies, jointly solidifying Pingwu's foundation as a skiing destination.
Under the theme "Ice and Snow Adorns the Secret Realm, Longzhou Celebrates the New Year," Pingwu has integrated resources from Wanglang, Huya, Yaocong Mountain, and county town cultural assets to launch a series of winter activities running from January through March. This builds a comprehensive ice and snow cultural tourism system that is "playable, viewable, learnable, and participatable." Visitors can explore the Wanglang snowfields and enjoy skiing at Huya during the day, and immerse themselves in diverse cultural experiences in Pingwu county town at night: participating in Hanfu shows evoking the "Splendors of the Ming Dynasty" at the Bao'en Temple, strolling through the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Longzhou" cultural block, appreciating traditional crafts like sugar painting and dough figurines, and experiencing the unique charm of Baima Tibetan songs and dances.
Industrial linkages have also deepened: Huya Tibetan Township offers "skiing + homestay + local specialty" packages, allowing visitors to stay in Tibetan homes, savor local cuisine, and purchase mountain products after sports activities. Events like various equipment exhibitions and cultural experience weeks further extend the industrial chain, achieving deep integration of ice and snow tourism with ethnic culture and specialty agriculture. Additionally, Pingwu has stimulated consumption potential through more convenient services, such as launching discounted products like duo free-and-easy travel and family packages, and operating direct tourist buses from Mianyang to Pingwu. This "ice and snow+" integration model not only breaks through the seasonal limitations of winter tourism but also effectively complements the ecological sightseeing and colorful forest experiences available in spring, summer, and autumn, continuously enhancing the brand influence of "Secret Realm Pingwu, Home of the Panda."
From ecological research to skiing thrills, from intangible cultural heritage streets to snowy mountains and ice waterfalls, Pingwu is using ice and snow as a link to connect nature, sports, and culture, painting a winter tourism picture rich in formats and profound in heritage. As infrastructure continues to improve and industrial integration deepens, this ecological secret realm will continue to unleash the strong kinetic energy of the ice and snow economy, truly turning "lucid waters and lush mountains" into "gold and silver mountains" that benefit people's livelihoods and promote development.
Comments