Harbin Int'l Ice and Snow Festival opens

Photos taken on Dec. 23, 2012 shows the night scene of the 29th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

The festival kicked off at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on Sunday. (Xinhua)

China's Heilongjiang enters peak tourist season

Tourists enjoy leisure time in the "Snow County" , Heilongjiang Province. Along with continuous snowfall, Heilongjiang enters peak tourist season


Source: Xinhua

Night falls over Harbin

Harbin is without doubt the most popular Chinese travel destination during winter, with the highlight event being the annual Ice and Snow Festival which is currently under way.

The city itself is also worth exploring as both its lifestyle and architecture is influenced by Russia, its neighbor.

Source: CRI via sina

29th Harbin Int'l Ice and Snow Festival kicks off

Visitors watch ice sculptures in the Ice and Snow World during the 29th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin,  Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 5, 2013. The festival kicked off on Saturday. (Xinhua)

Harbin Ice Festival Kicks Off

The world’s largest ice festival, in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, starts January 5 and last until February 25


Source: Wall Street Journal 

Traditions and celebrations

There are a thousand ways to celebrate Spring Festival or Lunar New Year because of the vastness of the country. We track from north to south and from east to west to give you four different ways.

Harbin in Northeast China offers you the coldest ice sculptures and frozen pears with the hottest yangko dance and dumplings. Sanya in South China brings the warmest tropical wind and bluest ocean.

In Hunan's Fenghuang ancient town, the starlight-like river lanterns lead you into the most poetic scene. At Shanxi's Qikou township, the roaring Yellow River, accompanied by the cracking of ice, thrills you with the best of nature.

Harbin, Heilongjiang

Dubbed "Paris of the Orient", Harbin carries the post-Christmas joy right up to Lunar New Year.

The provincial capital of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China still maintains some traces of Western lifestyle and more than 200 fine examples of Russian architecture in town.

But come Spring Festival, the city blends Eastern and Western elements to perfection. The highlight is the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, bringing with it ice sculptures, on-ice performances and entertainment galore.

From Lunar New Year's eve right up to the 15th day of the first month in lunar calendar, every family has a red lantern in their home. Locals and visitors are treated to the yangko dance, a form of folk dance popular in northern China. The dance is so contagious that tourists are not expected to remain observers for long, but to join the dancers and have a good time.

Like most Chinese, local Harbin residents pay special attention to family reunion dinner on the eve of Lunar New Year. The meal must include the "big four" - chicken, fish, ribs and pork leg. If any of the "big four" is missing, it is not considered a reunion dinner with Northeast flavor.

And of course, dumpling is the most important food on the dinner table. The filling can range from sauerkraut to pork, shallot and lamb, and tomato and egg.

Making dumplings with family members is the best bonding activity, and the fastest way for new friends to warm up. Some families will also put a few coins into some of the dumplings. There is a belief that those who chance upon the "fortune dumplings" will be blessed with good luck throughout the coming year.

After a sumptuous dinner, sink your teeth into a frozen pear - a genius creation that can only be inspired by a temperature of -30 C.

Sanya, Hainan

If you are not coping with the cold in North China very well, you will love Sanya in South China. Celebrating Lunar New Year in the tropics is equally exciting.

Nature has blessed Sanya with the best weather, the freshest air, the sunniest sunshine, the bluest ocean and the most delicious seafood. Staying in the island makes you forget about time.

Yalong Bay is a half-moon-shaped bay of 7.5 km in Southeast Sanya. Sand here is soft and glitters under the sun, while the sea is blue and as clear as crystal, with an average temperature of 25 C, making it an ideal year-round swimming paradise.

You may also consider having your wedding portraits done in Sanya. With the breathtaking scenery, you are guaranteed the best and most memorable photographs.

Fenghuang, Hunan

With a name that means "phoenix", you can be assured of a remarkable Spring Festival celebration in this ancient small town in western Hunan province.

The locals keep to the traditional way of celebrating the Lunar New Year. Before reunion dinner, they will have a ceremony to worship their ancestors and after dinner, the older generations in the family will distribute hongbao or red envelops with money to children. And everyone stays up until the wee hours of the morning to usher in the New Year.

Fenghuang cuisine is mainly hot and sour, which makes you perspire as you savor the dishes. The names of the dishes, such as potted mushrooms and sour soup tofu, are enough to make you salivate.

Customs like making sausages and sweet wine, and shopping on the New Year Miao ethnic market remain very much alive.

The most interesting tradition is to float the river lantern. People gather on the Tuojiang River, put the paper-made lanterns on the water surface, light the candles and let the river takes the lanterns and the wishes of the people to wherever it flows. At midnight of New Year's eve, the local government will let off large-scale fireworks, which last for 40 minutes and are really a feast for the eyes.

From the first day to the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, there are also all kinds of performances and galas from various organizations and villages on Phoenix Congwen Square.

Qikou, Shanxi

The Qikou township is a remote town along the Yellow River in Shanxi's Linxian county. Its location at the boundary of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces gives it the rich culture and characteristics of both the places.

At Qikou, you can watch the ice floating along the Yellow River during the Spring Festival. The Yellow River looks like a huge snake that is casting off its skin. The ice cracks and rumbles like a rock concert on the river.

You can hide in one corner and daydream, or you can sit on heated adobe bed and learn to make cloth tiger and paper-cut decorations from local villagers.

Source: By Zhang Zixuan (China Daily)

Harbin's Ice and Snow World opened to visitors on Sunday

December 29, 2013 night view of the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province

The Harbin Ice and Snow World opened to visitors on Sunday.


Source: xinhua via china.org.cn

Top attractions in Harbin, China

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang Province, China's northeastern-most region. With its arctic climate and abundant ice and snow, the city is known as China's "Ice City." The architecture in Harbin gives the city its nickname of "Oriental Moscow" and "Oriental Paris."

Since 1963, the world-famous Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival has been hosted in January of each year. During that time, exquisite ice sculptures are decorated with colorful ice lanterns and winter sports competitions attract thousands of local and overseas visitors.

If you visit Harbin, don't miss the Harbin Ice and Snow World -- by far the largest ice and snow art exhibition and amusement park in the world. The picturesque Sun Island Scenic Area and the Sophia Cathedral are also good choices for you to go.

 Following are the top 10 attractions in Harbin, China

Sun Island Scenic Area

Located on the north bank of the Songhua River, the Sun Island Scenic Area is a famous resort in China. Surrounded by blue water, the area boasts crystal lakes, wooden rockeries, beautiful flowers and exotic buildings, covering a total area of 3,800 hectares.

In summer, the comfortable weather makes it the first choice to escape from the heat; in winter, the spot is a paradise of ice and snow. Every year, ice and snow sculptures and architecture are exhibited here, attracting thousands of visitors.

Admission:30 yuan (US$4.9)/person

Central Street in Harbin

Known as the "Eastern Moscow," northeast China's Harbin has always been regarded a unique and exotic city. The Central Street in downtown Harbin is the city's ultimate symbol.

Harbin's 100-year-long history can be traced back to this story-filled street. Originally constructed in 1898, for the transportation of railway supplies and named the "Chinese Street," Central Street was later floored with square stones based on the design of a Russian engineer in 1924. Since then, it has become home to numerous foreign shops, hotels and bars. Russian leather, British woolen cloth, French perfume, German medicine and many more exotic commodities can be found here.

With a total length of 1,450 meters, Central Street is now the longest pedestrian street in all of Asia. The European architectural art is the most obvious feature of this long corridor and the four most influential schools of Western architecture from different eras -- including Baroque, Renaissance, eclecticism and Art Nouveau -- are all presented along the street. As Harbin's most cultural rich area and busiest commercial street, Central Street is an enthralling destination, attracting tourists both all over the globe.

Admission: Free

Saint Sophia Cathedral

The Saint Sophia Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom of God, is a former Russian Orthodox Church located in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang Province.

First built in 1907, the cathedral is the largest Orthodox Church in the Far East and is one of the most magnificent structures in the city. After being restored and rebuilt multiple times, it was turned into the Municipal Architecture and Art Museum in 1997, showcasing the multi-cultural architectural development of Harbin throughout the ages. It is hailed as a monumental work of art.

Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.27) /person

 Harbin Ice and Snow World

Established in 1999, the Harbin Ice and Snow World is by far the largest ice and snow art exhibition and amusement park in the world, conveying the unique charm of both ice and snow culture and tourism. It usually opens in late December or early January and lasts around three months, along with the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

The ice carvings here are regarded some of the world's finest examples of frozen art, where visitors are able to admire some of the largest and most majestic ice-sculpted masterpieces to be found anywhere. It is also a center for various forms of entertainment, such as ice rock-climbing, skating, skiing, sliding, snow fights, ice golfing and ice archery. Special performances based on the festival's theme are put on throughout the event.

Admission: Adult: 300 yuan (US$49.01)/person; Kids: 160 yuan (US$26.14)/person  (Subject to change each year)

Yabuli Ski Resort

Located some 23 kilometers (14.29 miles) to the southwest of Yabuli County, at 198 kilometers (123.03 miles) from Harbin, the Yabuli Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in China, as well as its largest ski training center. It is also the best ski resort in China in terms of slopes, types of slopes, length of slopes and overall services. It has hosted a number of games, including all snow-involving events of the 3rd Asian Winter Games.

The number of snow days averages around 170 and the skiing season lasts for nearly 150 days. The best time to visit the area is from mid-November until late March. The 11 slopes meet the demands from beginning to experienced skiers. Average snow fall is 30-50 cm in the lower areas and about 100 cm at the top of the mountain. The resort offers various kinds of service facilities, including hotels, bars, restaurants, a shopping mall and an aid station.

Admission: 10 yuan (US$1.63) / person

Erlong Mountain Scenic Spot

The Erlong Mountain Scenic Spot is situated in the east of Harbin, at 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) from the city center. Covering a total area of 25 square kilometers (2500 hectares), this lakeside scenic spot is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It is an ideal place for touristic recreation and sightseeing, especially in summertime. You can find many entertaining activities here, including skiing, sledding, rock climbing, mini bungee jumping, paintball, go-carting, biking and paragliding. The area welcomes nearly 1 million visitors every year.

Admission: 50 yuan (US$8.17) / person

Siberian Tiger Park

Located at the north bank of the Songhua River, the Siberian Tiger Park is the largest natural park for wild Siberian tigers in the world, covering an area of 1.44 million. It was opened to public in 1996, with the aim to save and protect the Siberian Tiger -- an endangered species.

There are more than 700 pure-bred Siberian tigers in the park, with 100 visible to visitors. Staying inside a bus, protected by wire mesh, visitors can see the tigers walking around. If you are brave enough, you can buy live animals to feed to the tigers, including ducks, chickens and even cows. In addition to the Siberian Tigers, white tigers, lions, lynxes, leopards and several other big cat types can be found in the park.

Admission: 90 yuan (US$14.7) / person

Dragon Tower

The Dragon Tower, known as the Heilongjiang Broadcasting & TV Tower, is a prominent Harbin landmark. At a height of 336 meters (1,102 feet), it is a multi-purpose steel lattice television and observation structure. It became a member of the World Federation of Great Towers on November 8, 2008.

The tower features an observation decks and platforms where visitors can have a picturesque view of the city's surrounding areas. It also features a dinosaur exhibition, a 4D theater, tower halls, walkways and buffet restaurants.

Admission: 150 yuan (US$24.5) / person

Volga Manor

The Volga Manor, located on the banks of the Ashi River, Xiangfang District of Harbin, is a tourist resort themed on Russian culture. Covering an area of 600,000 square meters (60 hectares), the manor shows the visitors marvelous views of its huge of gardening and marsh lands. The rivers, bridges, country views, together with the magnificent classical Russian-style architecture, will take you into a fairy-tale world. It is an ideal place for recreational activities, wedding ceremonies and outdoor events.

Admission:100 yuan (US$16.33)/ person

Jinyuan Cultural Tourism Area

The Jinyuan Cultural Tourism Area, located 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) south of Acheng City, Harbin, is a well-preserved site of the capital of Kin Dynasty (1115-1234). Today, the meridian Gate and palaces are in good condition, and the walls of outside city, barbican entrance, turret and moat are still there. 

Acheng City is a historical site which was used to be the largest city and political, economic, military and cultural center of northeast Asia during the 12th century.

Admission:10 yuan (US$1.63) / person

Source: china.org