Ice to see you
Updated: 2011-11-18 07:46
By Yin Yin (China Daily)
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Harbin is home to one of the world's best ice sculpture festivals
Harbin has been hailed by some Chinese as the "Little Paris of the East" because of its charming European architecture. The capital of Heilongjiang province is located in Northeast China near the border of Russia and its neighbor's influence is clearly seen. Harbin is famous for its big freeze but its icy nature is a major asset and winter is a great time to appreciate this beautiful city.
The city's biggest tourist attraction is the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival each year, and now is the time to pencil the event into your holiday schedule. The two and a half-month festival, which was established in 1985, begins in December and lures tourists from all over the world.
During the show, snow carvings, ice lanterns and fireworks displays make Harbin one of China's most tempting winter destinations. Here are three traditional activities to be seen at the festival.
1. Ice Lanterns
When night falls during the festival, Zhaolin Park becomes a glittery world with resplendent ice lanterns, beaming many different colors. Thanks to technology, these lanterns feature lights, music and plenty of action.
Skilled craftsmen elaborately carve the ice and snow works into many kinds of forms and shapes, such as gardens, flowers, waterfalls, European-styled buildings, lions, tigers and dragons.
During the day, ice sculptures can be seen in all their glory and are simply magnificent. With sparkling colored lights embedded into the sculptures, the park comes alive.
The first ice lanterns have a long history and were a winter-time tradition in Northeast China.
During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), local peasants and fishermen often made ice lanterns during the colder months.
A candle was placed inside an ice sculpture, resulting in a windproof lantern. These simple devices gained great popularity in the region around Harbin.
When visiting Harbin don't forget spending some time admiring the city's most eye-catching Russian building, the St Sophia church, which is the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far East.
The Byzantine-style church has four floors and is accessible by doors on every side. The bell tower has seven bronze bells, which in the past rung out on important days.
Although the original Russian murals are lost, they have been replaced by new murals depicting the architectural history of the city.
2. Ice and snow sports
There are many "mosts" associated with the Harbin Ice and Snow World: the most art attractions, the most beautiful night views, the most recreational activities and the most forms of entertainment.
Visitors will be amazed by the magnificent ice buildings, including an ice maze, an ice bar, and even an ice hotel.
If you are a fan of snow sports, there is the chance to take part in activities such as ice rock-climbing, skating, skiing, sliding, snow fights, ice golf and ice archery.
Winter swimming is quite popular and it is quite a sight.
3. Snow sculpture exposition
Sun Island is situated on the north part of the Songhua River, and this place is the cradle of snow sculpture in China. When snow covers this beautiful island, tourists gather to view the snow sculpture exposition.
The snow sculpture park is best viewed in the daytime. There are hundreds of sculptures made of snow, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
For example, snow sculptures of life-sized architecture, famous people, animals, fairytale characters, castles, mythical beings and so on.
Some incredible works created in previous expositions were so impressive that they linger in people's minds, including the Ten Thousand Horses Steeds Gallop, Shepherd's Melody and Monarch's Patrol.
There is also an indoor Ice and Snow Art Gallery, which is regarded as the largest in the world, with an area of 5,000 square meters.
