The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival is one of the most spectacular winter events in the world. Held annually in Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang Province, the festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland of enormous ice sculptures and intricate snow creations.

Photo: Arch Daily

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival has its roots in the late 19th century when Russian settlers in Harbin began building ice lanterns to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day. In the early 20th century, the festival began to grow in popularity, and it was officially inaugurated in 1961.

Although the festival was halted during the Cultural Revolution, it was revived in 1985. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest and most popular ice and snow festivals in the world.

The festival typically runs from January 5th to February 5th each year and attracts millions of visitors from around the world. The main venues for the festival are Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Harbin Ice and Snow World, Harbin Wanda Ice Lantern World, Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Fair, and Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival.

Each year, the festival has a different theme reflected by the ice and snow sculptures. In previous years, the festival has featured themes such as “Around the World,” “Fairy Tales,” and “Chinese Culture.”

The ice and snow sculptures at the festival are truly awe-inspiring. Some of the sculptures are over 100 feet tall, and they depict a wide range of subjects, from animals and plants to famous buildings and characters from history and mythology. The sculptures are illuminated at night, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere.

In addition to the ice and snow sculptures, the festival also features a variety of other winter activities, such as snowmobiling, ice skating, and dog sledding. There are also numerous food and drink stalls where visitors can sample local delicacies, such as ice cream made from frozen fruits and vegetables. The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It is a must-see for anyone visiting China in the winter.

Photo: Rove

The nowadays Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival is now a major international tourist attraction. In 2018, the festival attracted over 18 million visitors. The festival is divided into five main venues: Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Harbin Ice and Snow World, Harbin Wanda Ice Lantern World, Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Fair, and Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival.

Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo is the largest of the five venues, and it features a wide range of snow sculptures, including castles, pagodas, and ice slides. Harbin Ice and Snow World is a snow and ice theme park with a variety of attractions, including ice slides, ice mazes, and ice castles. Harbin Wanda Ice Lantern World is a commercial theme park with a variety of ice lanterns and ice sculptures. Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Fair is a smaller venue that features ice lanterns and ice sculptures created by local artists. Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival is a festival held on the Songhua River, and it features ice sculptures, ice skating, and other winter activities.

Photo: The Washington Post

Many interesting activities at the Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival

Coming to the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to feast their eyes on many elaborate and majestic ice and snow sculptures. These works are made from blocks of ice that have been carved into various shapes and designs. Moreover, a wide range of lanterns made from ice blocks have been hollowed out and filled with candles. Ice lanterns are a popular tradition in China and they are often used to decorate temples and other important buildings.

The festival also features a variety of other winter activities. It can be mentioned as a snowmobiling area where visitors can take a snowmobile ride through the snow-covered forests and fields surrounding Harbin. Additionally, ice skating allows one to skate on the frozen Songhua River. Meanwhile, the opportunity to go on a dog sledding ride through the snow-covered countryside is also a fascinating experience. Visitors can also try their hands at ice fishing on the frozen Songhua River.

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It is a must-see for anyone visiting China in the winter. The festival is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Chinese people in the winter season.

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Art Festival has had a significant impact on the city of Harbin. Apart from boosting the city’s economy, the festival has helped to make Harbin a popular tourist destination. The festival has also helped to promote Chinese culture to the world.