| Harbin is one of the most popular tourist spots in | | | | However, the focal point of the festival is Zhaolin |
| China. Situated in the heart of the north-eastern | | | | Park, located next to the Songhua River, in central |
| Asian economic region and along the eastern region | | | | Harbin. Named in honor of a general buried in the |
| of the Songhuajiang - Nenjiang Plain, Harbin is the | | | | park, Zhaolin Park contains an array of exquisite |
| largest as well as the capital city of the Heilongjiang - | | | | sculptures that are carved out from ice. All of the |
| the country's northernmost province. Bestowed with | | | | carvings are noted for their exquisite designs, ranging |
| the title of the 'Oriental Moscow,' Harbin also serves | | | | from figures of human, animal, and birds to mythical |
| as the economic, cultural, educational, and political | | | | as well as historic and political characters and figurines |
| center of the province. | | | | of world renowned attractions such as the Great |
| Sprawling over an area of about 18500 square | | | | Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and Taj Mahal. |
| kilometers, Harbin has Lanxi County and Zhaodong in | | | | Among the highlights of the festival are Sun Island |
| the north-west, Shuangcheng and Wuchang in the | | | | Carving Festival, Ice and Snow World, Harbin Ice |
| south-west, and Shangzhi and Bayan and Mulan | | | | Festival, and Ice Lantern Festival. Sun Island Carving |
| counties in the south-east. | | | | Festival allows you to indulge in an array of activities. |
| Further, Harbin is just about 300 miles away from the | | | | In the case of Ice and Snow World, it has been |
| extremely cold seaport of Russia, namely, | | | | acknowledged as the world's ice Disneyland. When |
| Vladivostok. Harbin is especially well known for two | | | | comes to the Ice Lantern Art Fair, the events in |
| things, one for its cold temperature, which may | | | | connection with the festival date back to the period |
| sometimes plummets to forty below zero, and | | | | of the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is about 500 |
| another for its much famed International Ice and | | | | years ago. |
| Snow Festival that is held annually. In winter, Harbin | | | | Al though it was started by hunters of the region |
| becomes truly becomes a paradise filled with ice and | | | | during the winter, later in 1963, Harbin's Mayor |
| snow. Hence, it is not a wonder why Harbin has been | | | | decided to organize formal competition in order to |
| sometimes referred to as 'the Ice City.' | | | | encourage skilled people to create several artistic |
| The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival | | | | works. Several magnificent ice lanterns are displayed |
| officially begins from January 5th every year and | | | | during the event, ranging from calligraphy and |
| lasts for about a month. Sometimes, the festival may | | | | miniature gardens to waterfalls and flowers. |
| even last for more than a month, depending upon | | | | During the festival, tourists from every nook and |
| the weather. Established in 1985 as a simple festival, | | | | corner of the world come here to take part in this |
| the Ice and Snow Festival has now transformed into | | | | unique festival. The prime highlight of the festival is |
| an event of international standards. | | | | undoubtedly ice sculptor contest, in which talented, |
| In other words, this festival is one of the largest as | | | | professional ice sculptors from across the world take |
| well as unique of its kind in the world. It is one of the | | | | part, among which some work alone while some |
| four prominent global ice and snow festivals, others | | | | work in group. |
| being Sapporo Snow Festival of Japan, the Oslo | | | | In this contest, the sculptors transform huge blocks |
| Snow Festival of Norway, and Quebec Winter | | | | of ice into beautiful works of art of different sizes, |
| Carnival of Canada. Further, the festival has utilized | | | | themes, and shapes. All of these carvings are simply |
| the usage of ice as well as snow available in the | | | | stupendous during the day times. They are even |
| region at its best. A host of events are conducted | | | | breathtaking during the night when all of them are |
| during the ice and snow festival, such as, fabulous | | | | exquisitely lit with hundreds and thousands of neon |
| fireworks display, ice hockey competitions, winter | | | | lights. In short, the Zhaolin Park becomes truly |
| swimming, skiing and speed skating events, football | | | | spectacular due to its unique as well as incredible icy |
| games on expansive snow grounds, poetry | | | | creations. |
| jamboree, and ice and snow cinematic festival. | | | | |