This summer, the tourism boom in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, continued unabated.
 
From July 1 to Aug 31, the Harbin Taiping International Airport served approximately 30,000 arrivals and departures and handled 4.58 million passengers, year-on-year increases of 8 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively. Both figures were records for this period.
 
As July ushered in high temperatures across the country, Harbin, with its naturally cool climate, became a magnet for tourists from southern regions.
 
The convergence of student travel, tourism and family visits contributed to a sustained rise in passenger numbers at the Harbin airport, with flight occupancy rates exceeding 80 percent.
 
To meet the heightened travel demand during the summer peak, the Harbin airport optimized its route network, increased flight frequencies, and enhanced its operational support capabilities.
 
The expansion of visa-free travel "friend circles" has also led to a significant increase in cross-border passenger traffic.
 
During the summer season, Harbin airport handled 110,000 international passengers, a 44.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.