Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Ultimate Guide

As the main venue of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. The Ice and Snow World is the largest ice and snow amusement park worldwide with an area of 600,000 square meters. It has the most beautiful ice sculptures during the festival and there will be more than 2,000 displayed. You are suggested to visit this site in the late afternoon when the lights will be turned on, creating a vivid and colorful world of castles, streets, walls, towers, etc. Some structures are over three stories high and show very intricate designs. Taking a roam amongst those bright and glittery ice towers is really mind-blowing and unforgettable!

Well, if time allows, you can stay for 3-4 hours and even a full day at the Ice and Snow World. Before enjoying the splendid night views, you can go to see the International Ice Sculptures Competition (indoor), watch performances (figure skating, cool LED hip-hop, romantic ballroom dancing, and hot dance), and join in ice and snow sports (skating, curling, sleighing, ice biking, ice slide, etc.).

What to Expect: Ice sculpture masterpieces, LED light shows, wonderful performances, ice and snow sports, etc.

Location: west to Sun Island, Ice and Snow World, Songbei District, Harbin 150000, China (黑龙江省哈尔滨市松北区(江北)冰雪大世界园区); about 20 minutes' driving distance from St. Sophia Cathedral

Opening Time: 11:00 - 21:00

Recommended Visiting Time: about 1-2 hours for simple walk to see sculptures and lights; 3-5 hours for performances and ice and snow activities.

Ticket: 330 RMB

The Sun Island is a stunning place with crystal lakes, delicate rockeries, beautiful flowers and exotic architectures. However, during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, it becomes another major venue and shows you the most distinguished snow sculptures which are large in size and related to culture. On the pure white ground, countless excellent sculpture works come out from snow, such as iconic ancient architectures, figures, cartoon characters, landscapes, etc., just for your exciting moments to admiration and photography. Moreover, there you will also find quite a lot interesting winter sports, including skating, sliding, etc. You are suggested to visit this site during the day time.

What to Expect: Snow sculpture masterpieces, ice and snow spots, etc.

Location: No.3 Jingbei Road, Pingfang District, Harbin 150000, China (黑龙江省哈尔滨松北区警备路3号); about 25-30 minutes' driving distance from St. Sophia Cathedral

Opening Time: 08:00 - 17:00

Recommended Visiting Time: about 1 hours for simple walk to see sculptures; 2-3 hours include ice slides and other snow activities.

Ticket: 240 RMB for ticket of International Snow Sculpture Art Fair

Warm Tips: you are highly suggested to wear sunglasses for the glary from sun on the snow is really intense.

During Harbin Snow and Ice Festival, Zhaolin Park provides an Ice Lantern Garden Party since 1963. Visitors will be shocked by the vast sea of ice lanterns. More than 1500 icescape works are displayed to form a fantastic and festival land for family and friends visitors. This place gives richer atmosphere to feel local culture and Chinese tradition for gathering. Besides the large sculpted pagodas, animals, pavilions, landscapes, etc., you can hand your companions to join in the entertaining items to have fun and warm up your bodies.

What to Expect: Icescape works, ice lights, ice entertaining activities, etc.

Location: No.37 Senlin Street, Daoli District, Harbin 150000, China (黑龙江省哈尔滨道里区森林街39号); 10 minutes walking from St. Sophia Cathedral

Opening Time: 09:00 - 21:00

Recommended Visiting Time: about 1-3 hours.

Ticket: 150 RMB