"We post couplets and paper-cut window decorations featuring the Chinese character fu," he said, referring to the Mandarin word for good luck. "We also make dumplings and put coins and candies in some of them to send good wishes. According to traditional customs, people who eat a dumpling with a coin in it will get plenty of treasure and money in the new year, and those who eat dumplings containing candies will have easier and smoother lives."

In addition to the natural snow views, the city is organizing over 200 cultural and entertainment events including music concerts, acrobatic skating and talk shows till the end of February, the provincial culture and tourism bureau said.

Harbin saw record visitor numbers and tourism-related revenue during the three-day New Year's Day holiday in January, with over 3.04 million visitors and nearly 6 billion yuan ($835 million) in revenue.

"It will be a romantic memory for us to welcome the Year of the Dragon in the world of snow and ice," said Zhong Minyi, 35, from Fuzhou, the capital of the southeastern province of Fujian. "My daughter, who is 5, loves snow and she has been longing for the holiday."

Zhong plans to spend the Spring Festival holiday in Harbin and at Changbai Mountain, a destination with skiing resorts, hot springs and lake views in neighboring Jilin province.

Tour guide Liu said he felt proud and happy to see his hometown go viral online and embrace an increasing number of travelers this winter.

"I've been to many places, both at home and abroad, but I love my hometown of Harbin the most," he said. "The people here are kind and generous, and I hope all the guests here for the Spring Festival holiday can have a good experience."

chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn