Harbin Festival: Visual feast of icy splendor
In the chilly land of Heilongjiang province, northeastern China, the people of Harbin have found a clever way to enjoy the cold and winds from Siberia; they throw a huge ice and snow festival! They carve giant buildings out of ice, make massive sculptures from snow, and craft beautiful lanterns from blocks of ice they get from the frozen Songhua River.
Among top four ice festivals
The Harbin Festival stands out as one of the top four ice and snow festivals globally, alongside Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival. With a history dating back to 1963, it set itself apart from other festivals that are short-lived. The festival begins on January 5 and continues its spellbinding celebrations until the end of February.
Sun Island
Sun Island, situated across the Songhua River from the city, serves as the primary expo site during the festival, boasting colossal snow and ice sculptures of epic proportions. From life-sized buildings to intricate bridges and even ice ferris wheels, the craftsmanship on display is truly awe-inspiring. Visitors can walk on ice steps into ice churches and glide down exhilarating ice slides.
Skilled ice art
Many sculptures are crafted from deionized water, producing ice blocks possessing a remarkable transparency similar to glass, which adds to the ethereal ambiance. After dark, a trip to the ice lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden is an essential experience, offering unforgettable moments. Illuminated by electricity, it showcases the expertise of highly skilled artists and craftsmen that transforms natural ice into exquisite works of art.
Winter games
In addition to admiring the sculptures, there is a plethora of winter activities to partake like skiing to fishing in the Songhua River. In addition, attendees can revel in the opening ceremony featuring dazzling fireworks, witness thrilling snow sculpture competitions, enjoy fashion shows, indulge in ice sports games and concerts, and even join in the celebrations of birthdays and weddings throughout the venue.
Winter wonderland
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival's triumph hinges on Harbin's sub-zero winter temperatures. The frosty climate transforms Harbin into a magical winter wonderland. The icy conditions are vital for maintaining the integrity and detail of the sculptures throughout the festival. They ensure the longevity of intricate ice and snow creations, allowing visitors to marvel at their beauty and craftsmanship throughout the event.
Frozen candies
Popular street food is sugar-coated haws (fruit with bamboo sticks), available from food vending stands. Tourists eagerly sample them to experience a delightful blend of sourness and coolness. A perennial favorite found in cold drink stores is a delicacy made from milk, egg white, coffee, and rock candy. As temperatures drop, the people of Harbin find themselves craving these cold delights even more.