Winter Misunderstanding: Chinese Tourist Attraction Apologizes for Creating a Winter Wonderland Using Cotton and Bedsheets Instead of Snow
Chengdu's Snow Village, known for its spicy food and pandas, sought to entice holiday tourists during the Lunar New Year with pictures of thick snow coating the village's log cabins. However, visitors were left disgruntled and disappointed when they discovered the advertised "snow" was merely large sheets of cotton.
Photographs posted online showed the cotton scattered across a dull green field or trapped in small bushes. One structure's roof seemed to be smothered in bedding material, revealing staple marks.
The Snow Village issued an apology on social media, attributing the misunderstanding to the region's unexpectedly warm weather. They explained they had used cotton to simulate snow but failed to achieve the desired effect, leaving visitors displeased. Refunds were offered to dissatisfied visitors, the post stated.
A staff member informed the Global Times that they usually welcome snow during winter, but the weather was uncooperative this year, resulting in a photoshoot setup devoid of snowfall. Images of the snow village were subsequently removed from their social media channels.
The village also closed down, with authorities investigating the tourist attraction for suspected false advertising, according to Chengdu's culture and tourism bureau's statement. Last year marked China's warmest year on record, with an average temperature in Chengdu during January ranging from 37 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (3-10 degrees Celsius).
This debacle isn't an isolated incident. Many tourist attractions globally, including those that rely on snow, have been grappling with the impacts of climate change. Beijing, for instance, had to virtually rely on 100% artificial snow during the 2022 Winter Olympics due to climatic variations.
In a similar occurrence, a famous waterfall in a national park was suspected to be artificially supplied, while a Chinese zoo admitted that its star pandas were actually painted dogs. These incidents highlight the importance of transparency and addressing the challenges brought by climate change, particularly in relation to winter sports and tourist attractions.
Despite the Lunar New Year and the village's efforts to attract travel news with blanketings of cotton passing as snow, many visitors were disappointed and sought refunds. The Sichuan Snow Village, known for its culinary delights and pandas, faced scrutiny when it was revealed that the "snow" was merely artificial, causing a stir in the global travel community. The incident underscores the challenges faced by tourist attractions worldwide, as they grapple with the impacts of climate change, leading to increased reliance on artificial elements to maintain the holiday spirit.
