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Harbin is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in all of China. Famous for it's unique Russian architecture, Harbin is often referred to as the Oriental St. Petersburg. Unlike most cities in the Northeast of China, winter is when Harbin really comes to life. Since 1963, this enchanted fairytale city has graciously hosted an annual Ice and Snow Festival that ranks in the top four of all the world. The festival is an exhibition of skills honed over countless years illustrated by modern lighting.
So where did this frigid fantasy land all begin? It started in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the northeast of China. The local peasants and fisherman of that time period came up with an innovative windproof lantern made entirely of ice. Filling a bucket with frozen water and leaving it outside left them with a perfect foundation for a lantern. Carefully chiseling a hole in the top and melting the interior, gave them with a weather resistant candle holder that would last all night. Overtime, it became normal to put an ice lantern outside of your house in the wintertime. Now you can travel to Harbin in the winter and marvel at the artistic and intricate art form the well-known ice lanterns have turned into. Ice artisans have expanded their specialties to include architecture, sculptures and anything that you could ever dream of.
Walking in a winter wonderland is what automatically pops into your head the second you enter the frigidly magical Harbin Ice and Snow World. Beautifully carved buildings made out of ice are lit by a myriad of colors, creating the impression of a dainty effortless confection. Airy dreams are spun out of solid blocks of ice hauled from the nearby Songhua River. Breathing in the bitingly crisp air, and taking in the view of countless impossibilities brought into life, is a moment made to be remembered. In the past years, local skills have been showcased by replicas of the Great Wall, castles and cityscapes, to name a few.
The Sun Island Park is another site that deserves to be visited. The world’s largest indoor ice and snow art museum, it holds the seasonal Snow Sculpture Exposition. Snow gracefully swoops and curves into the shapes of Giant Buddha and Korean dancers. It is almost heartbreaking to realize that as soon as spring knocks on the door, these works of art will vanish.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a once in a lifetime experience that you will never be able to forget. The glistening white banks of snow are the perfect frame for this man-made fantasy land. Drink coffee or hot tea in a restaurant made out of solid ice and tuck the memories away to savor for forever. For the intrepid traveler, this is one adventurous story not to be missed!
