Celebrate the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival 2024

Beatriz
•
Dec 04, 2024

Ever wondered what it’s like to be in a city made of ice? The Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival is a unique, frosty spectacle!

Want to see massive ice sculptures, and snow castles that defy gravity, and experience one of the best festivals in China? Read this full article, where we dig into all the frosty details.

The Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival, ever wondered what it’s like to be in a city made of ice.

Photo by Kent Zhong

What Is the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival?

The Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival is a yearly event in Harbin, China, which has been acclaimed as the biggest winter festival in the world.

It began in 1963 when locals first created simple ice lanterns as part of the New Year celebrations. Over time, these simple lanterns evolved into larger and more detailed ice sculptures, more similar to the grand spectacle it is today. In 1985, the festival gained its official recognition.

Today, millions of visitors from around the globe come each year to behold large ice sculptures, snow art, and other winter displays. Over the years, the festival has grown into one of the most highly recognized winter celebrations worldwide.

Over time, these simple lanterns evolved into larger and more detailed ice sculptures,

Photo by Erica Li on Unsplash

When Does The Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival Start?

The Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival starts in late December until late February, although exact dates can change due to the weather.

While official events start in early January, many attractions and snow sculptures are ready as early as the end of December. The festival officially finishes at the end of February but sometimes extends to the beginning of March in colder years.

The best times to visit are from early January through mid-February when all displays and events are open. Temperature is well below freezing (between -13°C to -25°C (8°F to -13°F) ideal for sculptures to hold on to their exact shapes.

Where Does the Festival Take Place?

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is held in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China. Events are also distributed across different areas of the city, each with its own magic.

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is held in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China.

Photo by pressthebutton

Top Attractions at the Festival

Several top attractions showcase the artistry and creativity of ice and snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice And Snow Sculpture Festival. Here are some of the best ones:

Ice and Snow World
The biggest and most famous attraction in the festival; with giant ice structures of more than 20 meters high. Visitors can also see the replicas of famous landmarks, including the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal. There are also ice slides and mazes for kids to explore. Colorful LED lights make it stand out in the cold at night.
Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo
In Snowy Sun Island, this area is all about gigantic snow sculptures related to historical events, myths, and nature. Such huge sculptures are created by the labor of artists from all around the world. In addition, visitors can enjoy the peaceful, pure white beauty of the snow in this area.
Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair
Located in Zhaolin Park, it is full of smaller ice sculptures and glowing lanterns, including traditional Chinese designs such as dragons and pagodas. It also features the Ice Lantern Garden Party, with ice slides for kids.

There are also ice slides and mazes for kids to explore. Colorful LED lights make it stand out in the cold at night.

Dayou_X, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Best Things to Do at Harbin Ice Festival

Besides witnessing the spectacular ice and snow sculptures, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival offers many other activities that can be carried out by its visitors. Here are some of the best things you can do at this festival:

Ice Slides: Slide down big ice slides, fun for all ages and guaranteed to bring a smile.
Ice Skating: Glide on large ice rinks, rentals are there for skates. It’s a popular thing to do, especially for families.
Dog Sledding: Try dog sledding being pulled through the snow by huskies. It’s a fantastic way to go out into the open and move around.
Snowmobiling: Snowmobiling is a fast and guided tour to explore snowy areas. Great for people seeking more speed and adventure in their day.
Cultural Performances: Watch traditional Chinese music, dancing, and acrobatics. Performances offer another perspective to the festival.
Light Shows and Fireworks: Colorful lights highlighting the ice sculptures are always a cool sight, especially after sunset.
Swimming through Ice Competitions: This is an interesting cultural tradition in which brave participants dive into freezing waters.

Colorful lights highlighting the ice sculptures are always a cool sight, especially after sunset.

LiYan at zh.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tips for Planning Your Trip

Best Times to Visit the Harbin Ice Festival

The best time to visit the Harbin Ice Festival is from late December to early January. During this time, the sculptures are freshly unveiled, the crowds are smaller, and it’s a great time for photos.

From January 5th to mid-February, the festival hits peak season, with bigger crowds but with the full festival experience, including all attractions, performances, light shows, and fireworks available.

What to Wear For The Harbin Ice Festival

The temperature in Harbin can be extremely cold in winter (from - 13°C to -25°C (8°F to - 13°F), so it’s advisable to dress warmly. In addition to such cold temperatures, the chilly environment created by the ice sculptures can make it feel even colder.

Combine your outfit with thermal underwear, fleece or woolen sweaters, and a thick waterproof outer layer. Be sure to wear insulated gloves, thermal wool socks, and waterproof snow boots. A hat, scarf, and heated packs for your gloves and boots will help keep the most vital parts of your body warm and comfortable.

No measure is too much when it comes to protecting yourself from the harsh Harbin winter!

When to Book Accommodations and Tickets

It is advised to book the hotel well in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the peak season. Alternatively, you can opt for a stay in Daoli District, which is close enough to Central Avenue, and hence easy access to festival sites is guaranteed. It is also a good idea to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues that may take hours.

How to Get to the Festival

Fly into Harbin Taiping Airport from any major Chinese cities or nearby countries. Trains from Beijing (5-8 hours) and Shanghai (12-16 hours) connect to Harbin. Taxis and rideshares are available, though prices may vary. Also, buses and festival shuttles cover all main festival sites.

Protect Your Devices

Keep your phone, camera, and batteries warm in the cold. Use a cloth to cover the camera when not in use.

Communicate With Locals

Download a translator app, as some local people may not speak English, or just learn basic Mandarin phrases in advance.

Here is how to pronounce some basic Mandarin phrases you might need:

Hello - 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Nee how
Goodbye - 再见 (Zàijiàn) – Zai-jyen
Thank you - 谢谢 (Xièxiè) – Shyeh-shyeh
You’re welcome - 不客气 (Bù kèqì) – Boo kuh-chee
Yes - 是的 (Shì de) – Shir duh
No - 不是 (Bù shì) – Boo shir
Please - 请 (Qǐng) – Ching
Excuse me / Sorry - 对不起 (Duìbuqǐ) – Dway boo chee
How much is this? - 这个多少钱? (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – Juh-guh dwaw-shaow chyen
Where is the bathroom? - 洗手间在哪里? (Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?) – Shee-show-jyen zye nah-lee?
I don’t understand - 我不懂 (Wǒ bù dǒng) – Woh boo dong
Can you speak English? - 你会说英语吗? (Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?) – Nee hway shwaw Ying-yoo mah?
Help! - 帮助! (Bāngzhù!) – Bahng-joo
I need a doctor - 我需要医生 (Wǒ xūyào yīshēng) – Woh shoo-yao ee-shung
Water - 水 (Shuǐ) – Shway

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Photography Tips for Capturing the Harbin Ice Festival Magic

When is the best time to photograph sculptures? During the Golden Hour, the period before the sun sets. The light is soft, warm, and enhances the sculptures’ details, making them look their best.

Should you take night photographs? Sure. The sculptures light up after dark with colored LEDs. While you can get some great impressive shots, the cold may make it hard to hold your camera steady, so maybe use a tripod. You should also adjust your settings to get clear pictures in low light.