Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Harbin, called “Ice City”, has become a precious tone in northeast China in winter. What makes Harbin well-known around China is a unique festival – Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. It is the first international festival based on snow and ice activities in China.

Together with Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Quebec City Winter Carnival in Canada and Ski Festival in Norway, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China has become one of the world’s four largest ice and snow festival.

History

Established in 1985, Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is annually held from January 5th to February 5th depending on the weather conditions and the arrangement of the activities. As a matter of fact, the festival lasts from December to February with two Chinese traditional festivals included: the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

Early in 1980s, Harbin ice lantern has been famous around the whole country together with some activities such as skating, playing sled, iceboating and winter swimming. At the beginning, it was called Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. And later was renamed as China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in 2001.

The intelligent, hard-working and brave Harbin people vitalize the cold ice and white snow and bring us a golden season combining culture, ports, tourism, trade, technology and activities of other areas. January 5th is not only the date of opening ceremony of the magnificent festival for locals, but also the starting day of the world famous Ice and snow festival.

Activity

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is well-known in China and around the world. With rich contains and varied forms, it has become a unique festival for Harbin local people and for visitors from other places in the world.

During the festival, a lot of activities are held, including the Ice and Snow World on the waterside of Songhua River, the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Sun Island Park, the Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park and the Large Ice Sculpture Exhibition in Stalin Park. In addition, other activities such as winter swimming, hockey match, soccer game on the ice ground and ice skating are also worth a visit.

The Ice and Snow World

When snow falls in northern China, the magnificent ice and snow world is open to the public on the north bank of Songhua River at the end of December every year. Established in 1999, it has been regarded as an ice and snow tourist project with the largest scale, the most complete ice and snow landscapes and entertainments, and the most beautiful night scene in the world.

The 14th Ice and Snow World holds a trial operation Dec.31st, 2012, covering an area of 600,000 square meters. It takes nine scenic areas, including ice palace scenic area, legend garden scenic area, Conch Bay scenic area, ice age scenic area, ice beer scenic area, ice floe scenic area, Disneyland, international ice sculpture competition, Song of Joy scenic area.

Harbin Ice-Lantern Show

Since 1963, the Zhaolin Park has become a must-see during the Harbin Ice Festival with a traditional program of show the gorgeous ice lanterns. Harbin Ice-Lantern Show is considered to be the earliest and the largest exhibition of ice lanterns in the world. Every winter, numerous pieces of ice artworks in the park are arranged in groups according to different themes. When night falls, the park becomes a glorious and amazing ice world with the sparkling colored lights embedded in the sculptures.

>>Recommended Tours to Harbin:
3 Days Harbin Ice Worldland Tour
4 Days Harbin Sights & Yabuli Ski Adventure
6 Days Harbin Classic Tour & Yabuli Ski Adventure
More choices, please see Harbin Tours

Harbin Culture