Baotou's Yellow River cultural festival has emerged as a major tourism draw in 2025, with the signature Floating Ice Watch Week at the local Yellow River No 1 Village scenic area attracting thousands of visitors.

The event showcased the region's natural wonders while celebrating local traditions through folk performances, interactive exhibits, and adventure activities such as camel rides along the riverbanks.

Recent visitor surveys revealed overwhelming satisfaction, with 92.2 percent of participants rating their experience positively. The famous tourism village alongside the Yellow River, featuring distinctive regional architecture and well-maintained facilities, proved particularly popular. Modern amenities including ample parking and clean restrooms also contributed to the high satisfaction scores.

Social media played a pivotal role in promoting the festival, with 51.1 percent of visitors learning about the festival through social media platforms. The event attracted both first-time and returning guests, with most visitors spending on reasonably priced local cuisine and cultural souvenirs.

Tourism experts suggest expanding infrastructure and creating interconnected cultural routes to capitalize on this success. The festival's popularity demonstrated the growing appeal of cultural tourism in northern China and Baotou's potential as a regional tourism hub.