January 5th begins a month long festival, which turns the city of Harbin into a wonderland of ice and lights. This tradition, which is held in Zhaolin Park, began in 1963 and is now in its 25th anniversary year. Each year, the locals of this northeastern city show the world a culture based on ice and snow. 

Harbin’s winds come directly from Siberia, so even in the summer, the temperatures are only mild at best. Their winter weather boasts below grade temperatures of -25℉, which helps this spectacular event to become one of the world’s top winter attractions.

Architects, sculptors and artisans work on tall structures that are embedded with illuminating, colored lights, and on top of all that, the night guests also get to watch a fireworks show. This year’s festival boasts five themed sections: the art of snow, snow sports, snow culture, snow tourism and a snow economy. Besides just touring the icy affair, visitors enjoy activities and events associated with snow subject matter, like giant ice slides, famous monuments, beauty pageants, and even an ice restaurant is apart of this celebration.

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