Set towards the northeast of China is one of the country’s most beautiful cities called Harbin. It is a city teeming with a wonderful array of architecture, most of them gracefully influenced by European and Russian elements. Due to its positioning Harbin gets a bounty of the Siberian winter winds and so is known as the Ice City.
The epithet Ice City befits Harbin for it is the very city that hosts one of the biggest and most breathtaking sculptural shows in the world. And this is no ordinary sculpture but ones carved out of ice and snow in the biting cold weather. Extraordinary, inspiring and exciting, these larger than life creations take you on a virtual journey across the land of the Snow Queen, every year. This is a festival known as the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival that imbues the entire city with overwhelming animation.
The origins of this mesmerizing festival more formally known as Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival stretch back to 1963, but it was not a regular event until the year 1985.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is said to be one of the four biggest ice and snow festivals across the world, and one that produces spectacular frozen creations.
The exhibition starts every January 5th and continues for a period of more than a month. And depending on the weather of Harbin the duration can get extended even further, to the delight of its visitors. With temperatures dropping as low as -38 degrees Celsius, there is no better place than the city of Harbin to flaunt spellbinding ice and snow sculptures.
Sightseers in Harbin will be all too thrilled to witness ice sculptures everywhere in the city.
The finest of these ice and snow sculptures are gathered into five key spots in Harbin. They are namely Harbin Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Scenic Area, Ice Lantern Garden Party, Zhaolin Park and Yabuli International Ski Resort.
At night when these exhibits are illuminated, the lifeless freezing sculptures transform into a rainbow coloured paradise. And before you stand huge castles, sturdy forts, ornate walls, modern high rises and soaring pagodas. Take a stroll along long winding ice paths flanked by striking tree lights or have fun sliding on the ice. The chilling nights will be fired up with the spectacular firework shows that weave fleeting yet vivid graffiti across the pitch black night sky.
Harbin hotels will be certain to get packed during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and so it is best to book your hotel well in advance. From budget hotels to luxury hotels in Harbin travellers can choose accommodation to suit their budgets and tastes. And for those who prefer opulent comforts topped with scenic vistas of Songhua River then Shangri-La Hotel Harbin is the ideal choice. Discover ice marvels at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and explore the beautiful city while enjoying your holiday pampered with the unrivalled Shangri-La hospitality.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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