December is here, and while the weather outside isn’t quite frightful, many are already ready for what this holiday season has to bring. The Christmas tree is lit up in Rockefeller Center, the ice skating rinks are open to the public, and coffee chains are doling out seasonal beverages like there’s no tomorrow. While we wait for our winter wonderland however, many in China anticipate their own. Every year at the start of January an entire city of ice and light is created as part of the Harbin International Ice Festival. The ethereal city is home to some of the most beautiful ice sculptures in the world.

 

 

 

The Harbin Ice Festival officially began in earnest over ten years ago. Since then, the best ice sculpture artists have been creating their most elaborate pieces to submit to the month long celebration. The tradition stems from a time where locals would create ice lanterns, which were wind proof and would not melt in the cold of Harbin. The lanterns became a tradition of the area. People would create one to leave outside their houses and children would be given one during traditional festivals. Today the ice lantern is reincarnated into something grand. The huge ice city and its sculptures are illuminated by colorful lights, both traditional and modern. Sculptures are often arranged by theme. Characters from Chinese classics and European folklore make their way into the ice, as well as famous landmarks and people. Castles and ships of ice stand ready to be explored.

 

One of the wonderful and mystifying things about the Harbin Ice Festival is that it changes every year. The entire city is created once more, and its landscape may never look the same twice. Each year’s events are truly a once in a lifetime experience. With all there is to look at, anyone would assume that entertainment takes a backseat, but that is not the case. Apart from normal winter attractions, ice wall climbing, an ice slide shaped like the Great Wall, dance parties, and fireworks are all over the city. This year the festival officially begins January 5th, but many sculptures are already being placed at the location in anticipation of the festivities.

 

 

Readers can check out more on the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival here and here. Below is a video of this  year's festivities!