Harbin Ice and Snow World
Harbin Ice and Snow World — entire cities carved from river ice, illuminated at night
- Time needed
- 3-4 hours
- Rating
- AAA
Overview
Harbin Ice and Snow World is the world's largest ice festival and one of the most extraordinary spectacles on earth. Each winter, thousands of workers cut enormous blocks of ice from the frozen Songhua River and construct an entire city of palaces, towers, and sculptures — some reaching 30 metres high — which are then lit from within by coloured LED lights. The result, visible only after dark, is an otherworldly landscape of glowing ice that has no parallel anywhere in the world.
Plan your visit
Best time to visit
January for peak festival. Mid-January when all structures are complete. Evening visits only for the full experience.
Getting there
Sun Island, northwest of Harbin city centre. Taxi from central Harbin (¥30-40, 20 minutes) or festival shuttle buses from Zhongyang Dajie.
Nearby
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Harbin
Browse all activities and private tours in Harbin — bookable with licensed local guides.
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