In the frigid northeast of China, the city of Harbin is transforming its harsh winter into a celebration of art and recreation. Sculptors are meticulously crafting ice into detailed replicas of famous landmarks, while the annual Harbin Ice and Snow World draws crowds eager to admire the icy artistry and enjoy thrilling ice slides.
This festival has become a significant tourist attraction for the city, a former industrial hub that still exhibits its Russian heritage through unique Tsarist-era architecture.
The expansive riverside venue showcases numerous monumental ice sculptures, including renderings of India's Taj Mahal, Japan's Osaka Castle, and Beijing's Temple of Heaven, each carved from pristine blocks of ice.
"The ice sculpture mirrors the Temple of Heaven perfectly," remarked Jin Yiting, a visitor from Shanghai seeking a wintry escape from her hometown. "The ice has a wonderful, translucent texture, and it appears exceptionally elegant in the sunlight."
Song Shukun, another visitor, noted the educational aspect of the ice structures. "We can observe the internal construction of the ice blocks. Their arrangement reminds me of the brickwork in the Great Wall," he stated.
The main festival spans one square kilometer, utilizing 13,000 cubic meters of ice sourced primarily from the adjacent Songhua River. Additional attractions can be found in satellite parks throughout Harbin.
Gu Junyan, from the less snowy Henan province, exclaimed, "Seeing all the ice sculptures and snow here is simply breathtaking."
A major highlight is the ice slides, with the longest stretching an impressive 521 meters. "It started off smoothly, but as I accelerated, the wind grew stronger and colder. It was incredibly exciting," recounted Gong Caiyun after experiencing the slides.
While the sculptures depict both Western and Chinese architectural icons and mythological figures, artist Andreu Aleas emphasized the preference for simplicity in design to maximize impact. "We focus on clean lines and planes rather than intricate details. The snow can obscure fine details, so we aim for a striking effect through size and form," Aleas explained.