Xinhua News Agency, Harbin, January 21 (Reporters Ji Jiadong, Cao Yibo, Wang Junbao) Central Street located in Daoli District, Harbin City was built in 1898. Over the past 100 years, dozens of expatriates from countries and regions have lived and blended in Harbin, leaving a sound when passing by, and Central Street is a "record" that records them.

On December 26, 2024, Harbin Central Street was crowded with tourists. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Siqi

As the 9th Asian Winter Games and the Spring Festival approach, the Central Street is filled with a celebration atmosphere. Some brands have set up exquisite ice sculptures on both sides of the street, and the advertising slogans are more or less linked to Asian Winter Games, sports and other elements, attracting many parents and children to stop and watch.

The square stones paved on Central Street are shaped like small Russian bread, and are reported to have a history of a hundred years. In the cold air, tourists who come here step on the "bread stone" and enjoy the architecture of Baroque, Renaissance, eclecticism, Art Nouveau and other styles on this pedestrian street with a total length of more than 1,000 meters.

These tourists also have many locals. Although they are familiar with Central Street, they are willing to come here to visit at night at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and take a photo with the Asian Winter Games mascots "Binbin" and "Ni Ni". Ms. Luo from Jilin runs a barbecue restaurant in Harbin, and takes her daughter and mother here to relax in her spare time; a girl from Beijing, Xiao Wang, who was rushing from Beijing, ate candied haws with her best friend, and felt the vitality of "Erbin".

The Asian Winter Club licensed merchandise retail store is very lively, and men, women, young and old are attracted by the carefully designed peripheral products. According to store manager Su Zhe, this store has been open for more than a month, and its sales have continued to rise. The passenger flow on weekends can reach nearly 10,000 people a day. "Some tourists come specifically for the Asian Winter Games. They have plans to watch the game and like to collect badges, such as short track speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey." Although some customers don't know much about sports culture, they are willing to add fuel to the hot atmosphere of the Asian Winter Games.

Su Zhe also observed that many parents prefer to bring their children to shop. "Many children prefer mascots. They have learned about 'Binbin' and 'Ni' in school. Some schools also encourage them to find elements of the Asian Winter Club during the holidays. The children have shown great interest in ice and snow sports."

The clerk Zhang (pseudonym) introduced that the cartoon image of the mascot backpack is very cute, suitable for school-age children and is very popular. There is also a "broken banknote curling" with a very good sales volume. The curling shell is transparent and the interior is filled with invalid banknotes, which means "money" and "broken" safety.

"Recently, more and more tourists from other places have increased. We have not only received tourists from Indonesia, South Korea and Japan, but also athletes. Sui Wenjing has come." Zhang Zhang said.

In the retail store, the reporter met Chasakpan from Bangkok, Thailand. Chasakpan said that many young Thais know that they can enjoy ice and snow in Harbin. As a newbie, he plans to go on vacation to Yabuli.

Thai tourist Chasakpan was interviewed at the Asian Winter Games franchise merchandise retail store.

"Harbin and Yabuli have good infrastructure and franchise retail stores, and many foreigners can come here to enjoy it." Chasakpan said, "The atmosphere here is great. Harbin, Yabuli, and many small towns are full of Asian Winter Games elements. In such an atmosphere, I really want to buy some souvenirs to take home, hoping that athletes who come to participate in the competition can enjoy the competition and fall in love with China."