HARBIN, China (AP) — Individuals are making the most of the frigid temperatures in northeast China: Artisans have skillfully carved ice into intricate designs resembling renowned castles and temples, while guests are enjoying the craftsmanship and the thrill of ice slides and other attractions at the annual Harbin Ice and Snow World.
The ice sculpture festival acts as a significant attraction for the previously industrial hub, which proudly retains its closeness to Russia with Tsarist-era architecture that cannot be found elsewhere in China.
Visitors stroll past the ice creations during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors stroll past the ice creations during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Guests explore the illuminated ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Guests explore the illuminated ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors capture souvenir photographs with the ice structures during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors capture souvenir photographs with the ice structures during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
The riverside venue showcases numerous colossal works of art, including the Taj Mahal of India, Osaka Castle of Japan, and Beijing’s own Temple of Heaven, all sculpted from transparent blocks of ice.
“The ice sculpture perfectly resembles the Temple of Heaven,” remarked Jin Yiting, who was visiting from Shanghai with her parents to experience the wintry atmosphere in contrast to central and southern China. “I touched the ice block and its texture feels excellent. It’s translucent. It appears graceful when sunlight filters through.”
“`html
Tourists snap photos with the illuminated ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, in the Heilongjiang province of China on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Tourists snap photos with the illuminated ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, in the Heilongjiang province of China on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Another visitor, Song Shukun, who was propelling his girlfriend in a doughnut-shaped sled, stated that the ice blocks provided a glimpse into the construction of such structures.
“We can observe the inner composition of the ice. The manner they are arranged and the way they connect remind me of the bricks forming the Great Wall (of China),” Song remarked.
The principal festival spans 1 square kilometer (.6 square miles) of the city, utilizing 13,000 cubic meters (460,000 cubic feet) of ice blocks predominantly sourced from the nearby Songhua River. Additional satellite parks are located throughout Harbin.
An aerial perspective reveals visitors touring the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Zhang)
An aerial perspective reveals visitors touring the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Zhang)
“Experiencing the ice sculptures and snow here is simply astonishing,” remarked Gu Junyan from Henan province, which experiences minimal snowfall.
Ice slides, especially the longest ones extending 521 meters (1,710 feet), are a major draw, with guests often waiting nearly an hour for their turn. “Initially, it was somewhat consistent. When I glided off the incline, the wind was fierce and I felt the chill. It was extremely thrilling,” stated Gong Caiyun, who had just descended from the slides.
Visitors enjoy sliding down giant ice block slides at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors enjoy sliding down giant ice block slides at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
“`
A man glides down icy blocks at the Harbin Ice and Snow World located in Harbin, in the Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, January 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A man glides down icy blocks at the Harbin Ice and Snow World located in Harbin, in the Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, January 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Although sculpted elements include notable architecture and characters from both Western and Chinese folklore, carvers opt for simplicity for optimal impact, stated artist Andreu Aleas.
“We aim to avoid excessive detail; instead, we focus on manipulating size and using clean, simple lines. With the snow, it can be hard to notice the fine details since everything appears white. Thus, we chose to create this type of intricate artwork using only lines, planes, and curves,” Aleas elaborated.
An artist carves a snow sculpture during the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
An artist carves a snow sculpture during the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
An artist is seen in a reflection on a metal surface as he works on an ice block during the National Professional Ice Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
An artist is seen in a reflection on a metal surface as he works on an ice block during the National Professional Ice Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Guests consume food while a woman poses for a photograph with the ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, located in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Monday, January 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
“`html
Tourists consume food while a woman poses for a picture with the ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors gather to strike a large drum against the ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors gather to strike a large drum against the ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
An artist carves an ice sculpture during the National Professional Ice Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
An artist carves an ice sculpture during the National Professional Ice Sculpture Contest at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Guests queue to slide down a massive ice block at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Guests queue to slide down a massive ice block at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province of China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
“`
Visitors pose for selfies alongside the illuminated ice installations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors pose for selfies alongside the illuminated ice installations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors explore the illuminated ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors explore the illuminated ice formations at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors walk near a colossal snow sculpture positioned next to a thermometer on display at Sun Island Park during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors walk near a colossal snow sculpture positioned next to a thermometer on display at Sun Island Park during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors convene to capture images of a massive snowman showcased at Sun Island Park during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Visitors convene to capture images of a massive snowman showcased at Sun Island Park during the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
___
Associated Press video creators Olivia Zhang and Caroline Chen contributed to this report.
