Ice City inspires hot product design

Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, scaled new heights culturally and creatively this winter, as its ice and snow and design economies combined to deliver a large number of innovative ideas and technology-driven products.

For instance, the sales volume of an augmented reality refrigerator magnet featuring Harbin-centric design elements has exceeded 20 million yuan ($2.73 million).

"People can scan the refrigerator magnet with their phones and see exquisite images of Harbin's four seasons," said Wang Jing, general manager of Longyue Cultural and Creative Technology Co, which developed the product.

"This winter, our cultural and creative products can also serve as personalized electronic albums. Tourists can store photos and videos taken during their trip to Harbin in the albums, and even record blessings for their friends and loved ones, creating a unique Harbin gift."

Despite it being the middle of winter, many young people queued up for hours in front of a traditional Chinese medicine tea and beverage shop named Zhongqi Shizu to purchase a special ice cream.

"We combined different traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics that fully release the nutritional value of the ingredients, not only making the ice cream healthier, but giving it a distinctive flavor," said Shen Xiaodi, director of the shop's brand operation. "We choose to make ice cream, so that people can easily enjoy the food while managing their health."