Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival 2024

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, or shortly known as Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, is the first international festival focusing on ice and snow in China’s history. It is listed in the Four Great International Ice and Snow Festivals in the World, combined with Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada, Olso Helmenkollen Ski Festival in Norway.

Lasting for more than one month, Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is a big day in Harbin. It usually starts from 5th, January every year, but some relevant attractions may open from the late December. As the iconic tourism brand of Harbin, It has already been held for 36 times. During Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, you can admire various ice sculptures, snow sculptures, ice lanterns, wonderful performances. Three main venues of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival are listed in the following part, and Ice and Snow world is the main site.

• International Ice Sculpture at Ice and Snow World
• International Snow Sculpture Art Fair on Sun Island
• Harbin Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park

There are also many other sport competitions during the ice and snow festival, including Winter Swimming Competition, International Ice Sculpture Competition, Hockey Competition, Snowfield Football Competition, Speed Skating Competition, Alpine Ski Competition, etc.

Furthermore, many romantic activities are also held during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, such as photographic exhibition, book fair, ice and snow film festival, wedding on the ice, etc.

The Harbin Ice and Snow World is one of the largest ice and snow theme parks in the world, with an area of 600,000 square meters. It is also the irreplaceable landmark of Harbin City and world-known ice and snow tourism brand. It features more than 2,000 ice sculptures, landscapes, ice castles, rides and stage shows. It is literally a man-made winter fairyland. It is seen as “Disneyland of Ice and Snow”.

As part of the International Ice and Snow Festival of Harbin, the Harbin Ice and Snow World officially opened for the 20th consecutive year. The park is each winter built with ice rather than commonly used construction materials. There will be delicate ice and snow sculptures built under different themes in every year. Tourists could be fascinated by beautiful night view of the park, when these sculptures are decorated by colorful lights. Various interesting cultural activities and winter sports are also what you can’t miss in Winter of Harbin. There is also an indoor ice and snow paradise which can satisfy those who want to explore a cool icy world in Summer!

Just come and unlock more ways to play in this park!

Location: The North Bank of Songhua River, Songbei Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin City (哈尔滨市松北区松北大道松花江北岸)
Ticket: ¥ 200 ~ ¥ 330/person
Opening Time: 11:00~21:30 (24th, Dec to 17th, Feb)
Transportation: Bus No,29/No.88/No.118 are available to the theme park.

Wonderful Review of the Harbin Ice and Snow World in the Recent Years

Harbin Ice and Snow World was themed with a different theme in every year, and the exhibition areas are designed according to the theme.

In 2020, it was the 21th Harbin Ice and Snow World with a theme of “Ice and Snow Fusion with Joy”. It was featured with “the Melody of Light” with changing lights, “Century Clock” and “the Crown of Ice and Snow” and “Maze Castle”...As well as towering ice structures, the festival includes activities like sledging, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating and Alpine skiing competitions.

In 2019, the theme of Harbin Ice and Snow World was “Ice and Snow Are Invaluable Assets”. It has three special parts, including the reappearance of those famous ice and snow sculptures, blessing of a bright future, and Arena of Valor”, a hot game of Tencent.

In 2018, Harbin Ice and Snow World was themed with “Fantastic World, Garden of Ice and Snow”, featuring with the characteristics of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2017, the 18th Harbin Ice and Snow World shares its charm of ice and snow with the whole country by serving as the sub-venue of Spring Festival Gala.

You could check for more about Harbin Ice and Snow World.

Sun Island - International Snow Sculpture Art Fair

Sun Island is a National AAAAA Scenic Spot surrounded by crystal lakes, delicate rockeries, beautiful flowers and exotic architectures. Close to Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, it faces the Stalin Park on the other bank of Songhua River. It features with its distinguished ice and snow culture combined with folk culture. In the north part of island is Sun Island Park which has several small-scale flora and fauna gardens while the south part focuses on art exhibition and Russian style architectures. With top attraction of Swan Lake, Sun Waterfall, Squirrel Island and Fuchuan Garden, Sun Island is a perfect venue for admiring the beauty of flowers in spring and avoiding heat in summer. At night, tourists can watch Russian performance and taste Russian food in Russian town.

During International Snow Sculpture Art Fair, Sun Island is in a purely white coat. You can see snow in different stages, the first snow, gathered snow, flying snow, throbbing snow and snow sculptures which mean hope, unity, dream, interaction and culture.

Location: No.3 Taiyang Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin, China (哈尔滨市松北区太阳大道3号)
Ticket: ¥280 ~ ¥330/person for International Snow Sculpture Art Fair
Opening Time: 08:00 - 17:00
Transportation: 1. Take direct ship from ports at Flood Prevention Monument, Jiuzhan or Daowai Qidao Street to Sun Island.
2. Take Bus No.29/No.80/No.85/No.88 to Sun Island.
3. Take cable car from Tongjiang Street.

Know more about Harbin Top 10 Attractions.

Zhaolin Park - Harbin Ice Lantern Show

Perched in the prosperous downtown area of Harbin City, Zhaolin Park is surrounded by towering Buildings. It is named after a national hero – Li Zhaolin who once made a great contribution in the Second World War. Zhaolin Park displays two kinds of natural landscape in its summer and winter. In summer, the park is covered by dense plants and plenty of flowers. It is greatly fun to have a walk here. While winter comes, a park of jade appears.

Zhaolin Park attracts most tourists from home and abroad with its Ice Lantern Garden Party which is one part of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. In Ice Lantern Garden Party, you must be shocked by the ice world and lantern sea. Thanks to the high-skilled artists and craftsmen, the natural ice turns to fine work of art. These works are called "Unrepeatable Fairy" because completely different works will be displayed in the party.

Location: No.377 Senlin Street, Daoli District, Harbin, China (哈尔滨市道里区森林街377号)
Ticket: Free
Opening Time: 08:00 - 17:00
Transportation: Bus No.16/No.23/No.64/No.83/No.94 are available to Daoli 3rd Street Bus Station, then walk for about 500 meters to the park.

Know more about Zhaolin Park and Its Ice Lantern Show.

Central Street - Ice and Snow Art Gallery

Central Street is a prosperous pedestrian street in Harbin which connects Flooding Prevention in north and Xinyang Square in south. Lined with 71 western-style architectures on two sides, Central Street shows a strong exotic flavor. Shops along the road have all been restored, with plaques out front in English detailing their past lives as colonial homes and stores. In fact, the Central Street is an epitome of Harbin, owning a unique Harbin-style culture and western-style life. There are enough good restaurants and bars along the busy streets running off the Central Street which is paved with cobblestones. Among these restaurants and bars, some can date back to 100 years ago.

In winter, ice sculptures line the streets and make up a glittering and translucent street to have a walk.

Location: Daoli District, Harbin, China (哈尔滨市道里区)
Ticket: Free
Opening Time: 08:00 - 21:30
Transportation: Bus No.53/No.113/No.114/No.126 are available to Central Street.

Know more about Top 10 Things to Do in Harbin.

Notice: The above information is for reference only. The venues and admissions for Harbin Ice and Snow Festival of this year are not sure now. For the accurate information of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, please contact our Travel Consultant!

• Weather and Wearing - During the winter of Harbin (late November to early March), the average monthly temperature is from -25℃ (-13℉) to 3℃ (37.4℉) and it may fall to below -30℃ at night, so wear more clothes and warm shoes to keep you from being freeze. Down coat, thick jacket, mouth-muffle and gloves will also be helpful.
• Food and Drink - Harbin Ice and Snow World is equipped with warming houses and a viewing gallery which offers a shelter from the coldness and tiredness. You can also have some local food and featured specialties there.
• Accommodation - For the venues of Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival are in the downtown area of Harbin, you can accommodate in the downtown area. Harbin offers various hotels for different needs of customers, from the top luxury hotels to the economic business hotels.
• Other Preparatory Work - Buying tickets in advance on official website will help you to skip the long queue when arrive Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Make sure your camera or telephone can handle such temperatures and take standby battery with you.

You could also check the following links for more information about the temperature in winter of Harbin, and other things you can do in winter of Harbin.
Harbin in January | Harbin in February | Harbin in November | Harbin in December

There is no doubt that Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the biggest highlight of your Harbin tour. It is well worth your coming. If your time is limited, you’d better spend around 3 days attending this ice and snow carnival. All the major locations are covered including International Ice Sculpture at Harbin Ice and Snow World (a gorgeous firework display will be on January 5), International Snow Sculpture Art Fair on Sun Island, and Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park. China Discovery has designed the festival tour which will best suit for you.

Recommended Tours in Harbin Downtown:

>> 3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour

>> 3 Days Classic Harbin Winter Tour

For the visitors have 1-2 days more in Harbin, they will explore the hot destinations around Harbin city. If you are a ski amateur or a professional skier, you will no doubt create lifelong happy memories in Yabuli Ski Resort. And if you desire snow villages and sunrise over snow hills more, China Snow Town should on your travel list.

Recommended Tours

>> 5 Days Harbin Winter Tour with Yabuli Ski Resort

>> 5 Days Charming Harbin & China Snow Town Winter Tour

Some travelers would like to travel in winter to see different unique side of China that they usually cover Beijing and Harbin into one trip with a high speed train from Beijing to Harbin. It may take 6 to 7 days with two hot destinations in winter.

Furthermore, you could also combine your Harbin tour with any other hot travel destinations in China, such as, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Lhasa, etc.

Recommended Tours

>> 6 Days Beijing & Harbin Stunning Winter Tour by Flight

>> 8 Days Best Winter Tour to Beijing Harbin Shanghai