The opening ceremony takes place for the ongoing 26th International Rime Ice and Snow Festival. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 26th International Rime Ice and Snow Festival in Jilin opened to great fanfare on Dec 18 in Jilin city, in Northeast China's Jilin province.

During this year's ongoing festival, 11 exciting ice and snow tourism activities -- including rime viewings, skiing vacations, hot springs and folk customs displays -- and over 50 tourism products will be launched.

The festival will run until the end of February in 2021.

In recent years, Jilin city has seized the great opportunity of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games that are to be held.

It has developed the theme of "Olympic Games in Beijing, winter sports experience in Jilin".

A tourist tucks into some food at the launch ceremony for the second ice and snow hot pot festival. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

It has used the winter sports industry as a way to promote the transformation of new development.

On the night of the festival opening ceremony, a sub venue was set up for the launch of the second ice and snow hot pot festival, attracting the participation of tourists from all over the country to enjoy the rime, ice, snow and hot pot dishes in Jilin.