Experience the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
Harbin, China is renowned as one of the coldest places on Earth. This distinction is embraced wholeheartedly by the city’s 5 million residents. For the last 36 years, the community has celebrated its frigid identity and invited visitors from around the globe to immerse themselves in the spectacular International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.
What to Expect from the Festival
Celebrated as the world’s largest winter festival, the Harbin ice and snow sculpture festival captivates attendees with its breathtaking displays. Kicking off each year on January 5, the festival typically lasts for several months, attracting millions of curious travelers eager to witness its grandeur.
Visitor Information
According to China Highlights, the festival attracts up to 15 million visitors annually. While this figure may seem overwhelming, the festival is hosted in a vast 600,000-square-meter area, ensuring ample space for everyone. Astonishingly, the tallest sculpture reaches an impressive height of 150 feet.
To create this stunning display of winter artistry, approximately 10,000 workers are engaged to cut, transport, and sculpt the ice.
Originally celebrated in 1985, the event was inspired by Heilongjiang’s traditional lanterns and features three distinct venues. These venues include the Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Festival, the Ice and Snow World, and the Sun Island snow sculptures. Sun Island showcases daytime snow sculptures, while the other two venues shine with colorful nighttime lighting, making for a breathtaking visual feast.
Entrance to the event is approximately $48; however, CNN highlights that numerous free events are also available throughout the city.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re thinking about visiting Harbin this winter, it’s important to plan ahead. According to The Washington Post, the region is expected to experience warmer temperatures in the coming weeks, reaching the teens during the day and just below zero at night. Consequently, consider packing light, perhaps bringing just one pair of mittens instead of two.
