Skiing may have been invented in China over 5,000 years ago, but only in the last 20 years has it started to become a pastime for the masses. Today, as the country prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Chinese are heading up mountains (or to some of the largest indoor slopes in the world) in record numbers, while big business pours investment into new resorts, and the government tries to get the nation hooked on the white stuff. The enthusiasm—along with the realities of crowded slopes, a lack of natural snow and “ski culture,” and cost—makes for a blizzard of competition in the fastest growing ski market on Earth. 

Produced by The Immigration Service Center of the National Immigration Administration of PRC, and written by The World of Chinese Magazine, this special issue offers you cultural insights, language lessons, visa policy guide, exit-entry Q&A, and much more.

Immigration Service  | 移民服务

Hainan Visa-Free Entry Policy Guide

A guide to Hainan’s 59 Country Visa-Free Entry Policy

Exit-Entry Q&A

Frequently asked questions about exit-entry services 

Feature | 冬奥故事

Alpine Ambitions

China’s plan to get millions involved in winter sports

Profile  | 人物

Window of Dreams

Immigration police officers volunteer to teach in rural schools in Guangxi 

Living in China | 生活

Everything Under the Sun

How did China become a solar superpower? 

Living on Lockdown

China’s cities adapt to life under quarantine

Culture | 文化

Dragon on the Water

Generations of dragon-boat makers ride the waves

Pulling Strings

A one-man workshop in the heart of the mountains recaptures the ancient art of guqin-making

Pioneer | 对话

The Joke’s on All of Us

Jesse Appell finds the funny in both East and West 

Travel  | 旅行

Ocean Breeze and Ease

China’s tropical beach paradise 

Food  | 美食

Pampered Poultry

Buttery, plump, aromatic—you’d be mad not to give this Wenchang Chicken recipe a go 

Chinese You Need  | 汉语

Ace That Interview

Prep up for your next job interview with this language lesson

On the Character 移

The character for migration