Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

On a recent flight from New Zealand back to my home in Australia I came across a documentary on the inflight entertainment system about the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. It dealt with all the preparations that occurred before the Festival opened to the public, and the teams if ice sculptors who gathered from countries around the world. One year I would like to go and see the festival.


Harbin is the capital city of the Heilongjiang Province which is the most north-easterly part of China and borders Russia. During the long cold winter months the temperature can drop down to as low as -22°F (-30°C). Snow carvings, ice lanterns, fireworks display and snow recreations make Harbin one of China's most popular winter destinations. Skiing and ice sliding are popular activities. More amazing is winter swimming in the Songhua River, not for the faint of heart.

Harbin International Ice Festival is one of world's four largest international ice festivals, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival. It starts annually on January 5 and lasts usually to the end of February, weather permitting. During this period, people throughout the world take part in the various artist, cultural, athletic and tourist events. The 28th Harbin Ice and Snow Festival started on January 5, 2012. It is a great winter festival and if you are in China during this period, it really should not be missed.

What's on during the festival: Snow Sculpture Expo, Ice Lantern Garden Party, the skiing contest, football match on the snow covered land, figure skating competition, tauto rally on ice, theatrical performances and economic and trade talks.