Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival China

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

When is the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2023/2024/2025?

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival was established on January 5, 1985, becoming a world-class celebration of ice and snow. Through local legislation, January 5 has become a grand holiday for the people of Harbin, extending until February 5. The Ice and Snow Festival is the world's longest-running ice and snow festival. It only has an opening ceremony, held on January 5 each year, and there is no closing ceremony. Originally planned for a month, in reality, the festivities begin at the end of the previous year, continuing until the end of February when the ice and snow activities conclude. During this period, it encompasses four significant festive events: New Year, Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival), and a skiing festival.

Best Time to travel: avoid the Chinese New Year (Feb 9 - 15, 2024) because it will be very crowded and very expensive. Best time to visit Harbin »

Why is the Harbin Ice Festival Celebrated

Tourism Promotion: The festival was initially conceived as a way to attract tourists and showcase the unique winter beauty and cultural richness of Harbin, a city in northeastern China. It has since grown into one of the world's most famous winter festivals, drawing millions of visitors from around the globe. The festival has become a significant driver of tourism in the region.

Celebration of Winter: Harbin experiences long, cold winters, and the festival is a way to celebrate and embrace the beauty of this season. The stunning ice and snow sculptures, elaborate ice lantern displays, and winter sports activities allow both locals and tourists to appreciate the enchanting side of winter.

Cultural Exchange: The festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration. International and local artists come together to create intricate ice and snow sculptures, and the event often features performances, exhibitions, and activities that showcase various cultural traditions. It provides an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to learn about and appreciate each other's cultures.

Economic Impact: The festival has a significant economic impact on the city of Harbin and the surrounding region. It generates income for local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It also creates employment opportunities, especially for those involved in the construction of the ice sculptures and the organization of the event.

Promotion of Art and Craftsmanship: The festival provides a platform for local and international artists to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. The art of ice and snow sculpting is elevated to new heights, and the event serves as an inspiration for artists and sculptors worldwide.

Fostering Community Spirit: The Harbin Ice Festival fosters a sense of community and togetherness. Residents often take pride in their city's unique winter tradition and actively participate in its success.

Entertainment and Amusement: For visitors, the festival offers a range of entertainment and amusement options, including outdoor activities like ice skating, snow sports, and cultural performances. It's a joyful and captivating experience for people of all ages.

Five Interesting Facts About Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China is known for its breathtaking ice sculptures and winter wonderland.

1. Colossal Ice Sculptures: The festival is famous for its massive ice sculptures, some of which reach heights of over 20 meters (65 feet) and are incredibly detailed. These sculptures depict various themes, from famous landmarks to intricate animals and mythological figures.

2. International Snow Sculpture Competition: The festival hosts an International Snow Sculpture Art Expo and a highly regarded ice sculpture competition that attracts talented artists and sculptors from around the world. This competition showcases a wide range of artistic styles and influences.

3. Nighttime Illumination: The festival comes alive at night when the sculptures are artfully illuminated with colorful LED lights. This creates a magical and surreal atmosphere, transforming the ice and snow into a captivating, otherworldly landscape.

4. Natural Ice Blocks: The ice used for the sculptures is sourced from the nearby Songhua River during the winter. Workers cut and transport massive blocks of ice to the festival sites, where artists then carve and shape them into intricate designs.

5. Multi-Park Extravaganza: The festival is not confined to a single location. Instead, it spans multiple theme parks, each with a different focus. For example, the Ice and Snow World showcases the grandest ice structures, while the Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo emphasizes snow art.

History of the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, often simply referred to as the Harbin Ice Festival, has a rich history dating back to its inception in the 1960s.

1963: The festival's origins can be traced back to a traditional ice lantern show held in Harbin. At that time, residents and artists created ice lanterns as a way to brighten up the long, dark winter nights.

1985: The festival, as we know it today, officially began in 1985 with the support of the Chinese government. It marked a significant shift in scale and ambition. The festival's grand opening ceremony was held on January 5, 1985.

1999: The festival gained international recognition when it held the first International Ice Sculpture Competition, drawing sculptors from around the world to showcase their talents.

2000s: The festival continued to expand and evolve. It introduced new features, such as ice and snow sports, an ice lantern garden party, and themed activities.

2001: The Harbin Ice Festival started to be organized with different theme parks, each showcasing a particular theme, often related to Chinese culture and folklore. This multi-park approach has continued to this day.

2007: The festival added the famous Harbin Snow Sculpture Art Expo, where artists created intricate snow sculptures. These sculptures showcased both traditional Chinese themes and international influences.

2010s: The festival's popularity continued to grow, and it began to attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.

2020s: In more recent years, the festival has incorporated advanced LED lighting technology into its displays, creating dazzling nighttime spectacles.

What to do

Ice Sculptures: The festival is famous for its colossal ice sculptures, meticulously carved from blocks of ice taken from the nearby Songhua River. The sculptures depict various themes, from architectural marvels to intricate animals and mythological figures.

Illuminated Ice City: At night, the entire city comes alive with stunning ice lanterns and intricate LED light displays, creating a magical and surreal atmosphere.

Snow Sculptures: In addition to ice, snow sculptures are a significant highlight. These massive, intricately carved structures showcase the artistry of local and international sculptors.

Harbin Ice Festival Exposition: This portion of the festival focuses on the architectural aspect, featuring entire buildings made of ice. Visitors can explore ice palaces, pagodas, and more.

Snow Activities: The festival offers visitors the chance to engage in various winter activities such as ice skating, ice sliding, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.

International Snow Sculpture Art Expo: This part of the festival includes sculptures created by artists from all over the world. The exhibits demonstrate a diverse range of artistic styles and influences.

Cultural Experiences

While the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is primarily known for its stunning ice and snow sculptures, it also offers a range of cultural experiences that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and the local traditions of Harbin.

Traditional Performances: Throughout the festival, you can watch traditional Chinese performances such as dragon and lion dances, folk music, and local dance troupes. These performances add a touch of authenticity to the event and showcase Chinese cultural heritage.

Ice Lantern Art: Ice lanterns are an integral part of Harbin's winter traditions. Visitors can attend ice lantern art shows, where artisans demonstrate the art of carving intricate patterns into ice lanterns. You can also try your hand at creating your ice lantern.

Local Cuisine: Harbin is known for its unique northeastern Chinese cuisine. During the festival, you can sample local specialties such as hearty dumplings, sausages, hotpots, and stews. Food stalls and restaurants offer a variety of dishes to warm you up during your visit.

Harbin Folklore: Learn about the folklore and history of Harbin through storytelling sessions and exhibits. These experiences provide insights into the cultural heritage and local traditions of the city.

Ice and Snow Activities: Participate in traditional winter activities like ice fishing, dog sledding, and ice sliding. These activities offer a glimpse into the recreational pastimes of the local population during the winter season.

Cultural Exhibitions: The festival often includes exhibitions that highlight various aspects of Chinese culture and art. These exhibitions may feature calligraphy, painting, and local crafts, allowing you to explore traditional Chinese arts.

Sculptor Workshops: Some ice and snow sculpture parks offer workshops where you can learn the basics of ice carving. Local and international sculptors guide participants in creating their own small ice or snow sculptures.

Chinese New Year Celebrations: The festival often coincides with the Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival. This is a time of vibrant celebrations, including fireworks, traditional Chinese customs, and festivities that can provide a rich cultural experience.

Ice Pagodas and Temples: Explore ice pagodas and temples built within the festival grounds. These structures are a fusion of traditional Chinese architecture and the art of ice sculpture.

Local Cuisine, What to Eat

Harbin, known for its rich culinary heritage, offers a wide variety of local dishes and snacks to savor during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Here are some local cuisines, foods, and snacks you should try:

Guo Bao Rou (Sweet and Sour Pork/锅包肉): This is one of Harbin's signature dishes. It features crispy fried pork pieces coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. It's a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Bingtanghulu (Sugar-Coated Fruit Skewers/冰糖葫芦): These are skewers of fruits, usually hawthorns or cherries, coated in a hard candy shell. They are sweet, crunchy, and a popular street food in Harbin.

Harbin Sausages (Harbin Xiangchang/哈尔滨香肠): These sausages are a local specialty. They are made with a blend of pork and beef, giving them a unique flavor. They can be grilled or steamed and are often served with garlic and chili sauce.

Erduoyan Zhengmi Tang (Erduoyan Rice Sugar Soup): This traditional dessert is a sweet soup made from glutinous rice, sugar, and malt. It's served hot and has a delightful, sweet flavor.

Smoked Red Sausage (La Chang/红肠): These sausages are made from high-quality pork and have a distinct smoky flavor. They are a popular snack and can be enjoyed both hot or cold.

Squirrel-Shaped Mandelbrot (Songshu Bing/松鼠饼): These almond cookies are shaped like squirrels and are a popular souvenir from Harbin. They make for a tasty and unique snack.

Borscht (Lajiao Tang/辣椒汤: Harbin's Russian heritage is evident in its delicious beetroot-based borscht, often served with a dollop of sour cream. It's a warm and comforting dish, perfect for the cold winter.

Sticky Rice Cakes (Niangao/年糕): These are a popular New Year treat in Harbin. They are made from glutinous rice and come in various flavors, often coated in sesame seeds or nuts.

Ice Cream Street (Bing Bang Da Jie/冰棒大姐): Even in the cold winter, Harbin residents enjoy ice cream. The city has an entire street lined with ice cream shops serving a wide range of flavors, including traditional Russian ice cream.

Siberian Dumplings (Siberian Mantou/西伯利亚饺子): These steamed dumplings are typically filled with meat or vegetables and served with a side of sour cream. They are hearty and warming, perfect for the winter season.

Lamb Kebabs (Yang Rou Chuan/羊肉串): While not unique to Harbin, lamb kebabs are a popular street food in the city. They are seasoned with various spices and grilled to perfection.

Suggested Harbin Itinerary

Day 1:  Visit the Sun Island Scenic Resort for the Snow Festival, then visit the nearby Siberian Tiger Park, and Harbin Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park 

Day 2: Go to the ice swimming show at Song Hua River pool to watch people's swimming performance,  Stalin Park, Russian town, Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower plaza square, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, and Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Day 3: Harbin polar land, TongtaTV Tower, and Chinese Baroque street.

Day 4: Harbin Volga Manor and end your tour

More Harbin Itinerary »

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is an enchanting winter event that allows visitors to embrace the beauty of ice and snow in various forms. The festival's stunning displays, outdoor activities, and rich cultural experiences make it a must-visit destination for those looking to embrace the magic of winter in northern China.