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Harbin Ice Festival

If you're looking for a winter wonderland this year, look no further than Harbin, China. It's definitely the most amazing celebration of ice as art from on the planet, attracting thousands of visitors from all around the world.

The city of Harbin, with a population of nine million, is located in northeaster China in Heilongjiang Province. Winter temperatures often hit -15 F, but do little to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm. Gigantic ice sculptures, combining lights and lively music, turn the city into a fantasy world unmatched in brilliance and haunting surrealism.

The Harbin Ice Festival was officially established in 1985, and is held annually from January 05. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), the local peasants and fishermen used ice lanterns as lights during the winter months. These were created by simply pouring water into a bucket and then freezing it. Then the bucket would be gently warmed before the water inside froze completely so that the bucket-shaped ice could be pulled out. A hole was chiseled in the top and the remaining water inside would be poured out, thus creating a hollow vessel. A candle was then placed inside, resulting in a windproof lantern. From then on, people made ice lanterns and put them outside their homes or gave them to children to play with during traditional festivals.

Nowadays, its an annual cultural event that draws artists from around the world to participate in ice sculpting exhibitions and competitions. The best collections of iceworks are exhibited in three main places: Sun Island Park, Harbin Ice and Snow World, and Zhaolin Park.

Sun Island Park is the main site for snow sculpture expositions, and it opens in November of each year. The park holds the world's largest indoor ice and and snow museum. The admission fee is 30RMB for adults and 15RMB for children.

Harbin Ice and Snow World came into existence in 1999, and is one of the largest ice architecture parks. Inspiration for the ice and snow sculptures are derived from traditional Chinese fairy tales or world famous architecture ranging from the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian Pyramids, and classical Greek temples. Admission fee is 80. RMB for adults and 40. RMB for children.

Zhaolin Park holds the ice lantern exhibits. Using water from the Songhua River that runs through Harbin, the ice lanterns are carved and encased with lights that illuminate themes ranging from European-style churches, Chinese dragons and lions, and other mythical creatures. At night the park is transformed into a world of magic and wonder. Admission is 30. RMB for adults and children.

Despite the frigid temperatures, Harbin is a "must-see" for all visitors to China. There are plenty of comfortable, low-priced hotels, inexpensive restaurants, and many other historic and cultural landmarks worth checking out, as well. Take a down-filled parka, long undies, thick socks and mittens, a flask of whiskey, and chill in style and comfort in Harbin.

Speaking about the Calendar the
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