Traveling to China: The Harbin Ice Lantern and Sculpture Festival

China's annual Harbin Ice Lantern and Sculpture Festival happens every winter, typically on the first week of January up to the end of February or March. It is a festival that should never be missed when within the proximity of Harbin, China, the northeastern part of the country where the arctic climate provides abundant ice and snow. It features awe-inspiring ice and snow art that serves as one of the world's four largest festival of its kind, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Norway's Ski Festival and Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival.

Harbin, The Ice City

Harbin, the capital city of the province of Heilongjiang, is located in Manchuria, the region just across China's border from the Russian Siberia. It is also known as "The Ice City" for its famous winter celebration of the Harbin Ice Lantern and Sculpture Festival. This attracts hundreds of thousands of local and international tourists intending to see the world-renowned event's unique ice sculptures. During this time, Harbin mainly transforms into an enchanted city made of translucent figures carved out of ice.

Ice Lanterns in Northeastern China's History

Ice lanterns have been a unique part of the northeastern Chinese tradition since many centuries back. It has long been a mainstay of winters in China's Manchurian region as local workmen and fishermen usually made ice lanterns as jack-lights during the long, dark and cold winter months. Other people also made their own ice lanterns placed outside their homes or given to children during traditional events.

Back those days, people prepared an ice lantern by simply pouring water into a bucket left out in the open to freeze. After pulling out the bucket-shaped ice from it, they used a chisel to make a hole on top of the ice, then the water remaining inside the ice exterior was removed to create a hollow vessel. This served as a windproof case where a candle would be placed.

The international festival was officially established in 1963, but was interrupted for a number of years during the Cultural Revolution. It resumed as an annual celebration in 1985.

Artworks at the Festival

Harbin's snow festival is mostly a display of inspirational art, while its ice festival is mostly a display of breathtaking architecture and cultural and historical landmarks. Those participating in this traditional event primarily sources out gigantic blocks of ice coming from the Songhua River, then these are chipped, chiseled and carved to create palaces, pagodas, ships, creatures and famous places and figures from all over China and the rest of the world. It typically presents famous international structures, artworks and characters, as well as those coming from Chinese fairy tales and other traditional sources.

Festival Locations and Events

The festival offers the best collections of ice artworks exhibited in its main locations including the Sun Island Park, Harbin Ice and Snow World, Ice Lantern Garden Party, Yabuli International Ski Resort and Zhaolin Park.

Aside from showcasing the best ice and snow artworks in the region, it also serves as a cultural event for international exchange where ice sculpture experts, artists and fans from all over the world gather. These people, most of which come from the United States, Canada, Russia, Singapore and Japan, join China's own to participate in ice sculpting contests and exhibitions. Winter sports competitions including ice skating and sledding also highlight the festival's many events.