CHANGCHUNmarioarcadegame, July 13 (Xinhua) -- While heat waves sweep across many parts of China, tourists looking to cool off might head to the ice and snow in Jilin City of northeast China's Jilin Provincemarioarcadegame.

Inside the indoor rime ice lab of the Beishan Four Seasons Cross-country Ski Resort in Jilin City, Chen Jiajia, a tourist from east China's Jiangsu Province, took photos in front of the willow trees covered with rime ice.

"This is astonishing! It makes up for my regret of not seeing rime ice before," Chen said.

Beishan is a standard indoor cross-country skiing training center for professionals. The temperature inside is around minus six degrees Celsius, and the resort has become a popular attraction for tourists.

"Since the rime ice lab opened in February this year, it has received nearly 30,000 tourists in total," said Xu Hongbo, the resort's operations manager.

Jilin City is well known for its chemical industry, while its beautiful rime ice scenery by the unfrozen Songhua River has become an attraction in winter. The Songhua River flows through the city in an "S" shape. In winter, miles of rime ice scenery transform Jilin City into a winter wonderland, attracting many tourists from home and abroad.

The winding river in the city also provides a great place for locals to exercise. The stunning views and public fitness complement each other, making the area a "rime ice sports belt." Along the river bank, people are often seen running, cycling and playing table tennis.

"Table tennis is very popular. I have to get here early to find a table," said Duan Yongsheng, a 61-year-old local. He spends around two hours daily playing table tennis at the Songhua River Fitness Corridor.

A few days ago, a table tennis competition was also held here. "It's convenient for us locals and the facilities are well-equipped," Duan said.

Not far from the banks of the Songhua River, a skateboard park covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters opened in June. "This is the largest comprehensive skateboard training venue in the city. Over 100 people come here to skate every weekend," said Liu Xiansheng, who runs the park, adding that open courses for primary and secondary school students will be held.

"We strive to combine public fitness venues with cultural landscapes," said Yi Liyong, director of the mass sports department of Jilin's Municipal Sports Bureau.

Yi added that the corridor will contribute to public fitness services and cultivate the base for marathons and many other events. When the Jilin Marathon started on June 16, over 30,000 participants ran along the "rime ice sports belt".

Besides, many ski resorts remain busy even during the hot summer. Resorts in Jilin City like Vanke Songhua Lake Resort and Beidahu Ski Resort lay on many outdoor activities, from mountain biking to camping festivals.

"We will upgrade the mountain running competition this year, which is expected to attract over 3,000 people," said Huang Zhongrui, marketing director of Vanke Songhua Lake Resort.

Sports also take up a big part of students' summer vacation. At the Jilin Municipal Ice Sports Center located in the rime ice sports belt, Tan Xiyun, seven, skated on the ice rink. She has been playing ice hockey for two years and wants to stay on the rink all summer.

"We cooperate with the local education bureau to carry out free ice hockey summer camps for primary school students for the first time," said Tan Ke, coach of Jilin Yulong youth ice hockey club.

"People from Jilin City have a special love for ice and snow," said Guo Liwei, vice principal of a local primary school. "The school encourages students to do ice and snow sports even in summer so that they can have a cool and special summer vacation."■