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Individuals are taking advantage of the frigid climate in northeastern China: Artists have intricately carved ice into stunning formations that resemble iconic palaces and shrines, while attendees are enjoying the artistry along with the thrill of ice slides and various activities at the yearly Harbin Ice and Snow World.
The ice carving festival serves as a prominent attraction for the once-industrial hub, which still takes pride in its closeness to Russia, featuring Tsarist-era structures unique to China.
The riverside venue showcases numerous massive creations like India’s Taj Mahal, Japan’s Osaka Castle, and Beijing’s very own Temple of Heaven, all sculpted from transparent ice blocks.
“The ice carving resembles the Temple of Heaven perfectly,” commented Jin Yiting, a visitor from Shanghai, visiting with her parents to soak in the frosty difference compared to central and southern China.
“I felt the ice block, and its surface is quite admirable. It’s clear. It appears exquisite when the sunlight filters through.”
Another tourist, Song Shukun, while guiding his girlfriend in a doughnut-shaped sled, expressed that the ice blocks provided a glimpse into their construction method.
“We can observe the internal composition of the ice. The arrangement and contact points remind me of the bricks used in the Great Wall (of China),” stated Song.
The principal festival spans an area of 1 square kilometer (0.6 square miles) within the city, utilizing 13,000 cubic meters (460,000 cubic feet) of ice blocks primarily sourced from the nearby Songhua River.
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There exist additional satellite parks throughout Harbin.
“Coming here and witnessing all the ice sculptures and snow is truly astonishing,” remarked Gu Junyan from Henan province, which experiences minimal snowfall.
Ice slides, featuring the longest measured at 521 meters (1,710 feet), serve as a significant draw, with participants queuing for nearly an hour for their turn.
“Initially, it was relatively smooth. When I skidded down the slope, the brisk wind hit me, and I felt chilly. It was incredibly thrilling,” stated Gong Caiyun, who had just finished sliding.
While the designs encompass well-known buildings and characters from both Western and Chinese folklore, artists aims to maintain simplicity for the greatest impact, according to artist Andreu Aleas.
“Our intention isn’t to delve into intricate details but to instead manipulate the scale and employ these lines, keeping them very clean and straightforward. Because the snow tends to obscure finer details, given that everything appears white. Thus, we chose to create this type of delicate art focusing solely on lines, planes, and gentle curves,” Aleas expressed.
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