The winter glow grows

Shennongjia is also reaping the economic benefits. Hongping county, for instance, now has 153 so-called agri-tainment farmyards, which attract tourists and ice and snow sports enthusiasts. As well as providing jobs, revenue from these businesses totaled 86 million yuan ($13 million) in 2020.

"The number of tourists who come here each winter is growing. Annually, I can earn about 200,000 yuan. Thanks to winter sports, Hongping county now has good development," said Zhang Erkui, an owner of one of the farmyards.