Harbin, the host city of the 2025 Winter Asian Games, is welcoming event officials with warm hospitality that contrasts with its extreme cold.
The Harbin Asian Games will be held from February 7 to 14 in various locations in Harbin, China. Concerns have been raised because the event is being held in one of the world’s coldest major cities, where temperatures can drop as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius. However, the preparation process and hospitality appear to be going smoothly so far.
This year’s Games will feature a record-high 1,275 athletes from 34 countries.
On Monday, before the event’s official opening, volunteers at Harbin Airport personally guided each arriving official upon landing.
Personal luggage with an Asian Games identification sticker was prioritized on the baggage carousel. Participants followed designated signs and were granted fast-track access at immigration, allowing them to clear customs in under a minute.
Two hundred volunteers have been stationed at Harbin Airport to ensure officials’ and athletes’ quick and comfortable arrival.
Volunteer Le Shi stated, “This service is provided to all participants, including athletes and event officials. We hope those who have come to Harbin for the Winter Asian Games can move quickly and conveniently, ensuring a successful event.”
The hospitality continued outside the airport, where volunteers and event staff lined up on the first floor, waving their hands in a warm welcome to athletes and media personnel.
Throughout the city, the event mascots Binbin and Nini greeted visitors, while large billboards displayed promotional messages and the event schedule, transforming the entire city into “Game Mode.” Some staff members struggled with basic English communication, but they still greeted everyone with bright smiles.
Harbin previously hosted the Winter Asian Games in 1996. Following difficulties in selecting a host city after the 2017 Sapporo Games, Harbin confidently pushed forward with its bid. The organizing committee appears to have made thorough preparations.
However, the cold weather has been just as harsh as expected. Even at 4 p.m., a relatively warm time, temperatures remained minus 17 degrees Celsius. Wherever one looked, the landscape was covered in white snow.
Blizzards and biting winds quickly froze exposed noses and lips, forcing people to cover up completely, leaving only their eyes visible.
The stark contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures was also noticeable. Since the freezing weather outside made indoor heating necessary, enclosed spaces were kept extremely warm and dry.
Upon entering the Main Media Center (MMC) in thick winter coats, attendees quickly broke into a sweat.
Event official Chen Chen explained, “Harbin’s winter is characterized by extreme temperature differences between indoors and outdoors. Locals are used to it, but first-time visitors may find adjusting difficult.”
For competing athletes, managing their condition amid these drastic temperature shifts could be a key factor affecting their performance.
The Harbin Games will officially begin with the opening ceremony on February 7.
South Korea, aiming for a second-place finish in the overall standings, kicked off its campaign on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Harbin Pingpang Arena, where its curling mixed doubles team faced off against the Philippines.
