![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6AX7LH3OHXWQ4MJO3EIEMRS2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=160299e8691674b4cb96381432eea91cfb41c197964347f0b6181d3746463b65&width=400&height=225)
Snow bikes and sledges are available. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXGJLHKUPMTWQELHS73RLSLIPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe28c25ac84b114ee92301b8df008c1d38578994358c3b421e8c6d286406e129&width=400&height=225)
Disney-style castles made of ice are a highlight at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T3UI2DMZCIFJ2PSKCSA3GTI6CQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1221bd0115f21204310034f7cb0464d783555e2c7e41f2e49335a24401169543&width=400&height=225)
Other icy sculptures are carved to resemble Chinese-style bridges and buildings. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I5IH52ZSQMORKNLPTJOOXFRD44.jpg?smart=true&auth=292bb46fc1fab7e76fbf350f3c7adb8357deabb4003b607bcf2675d25b7089bf&width=400&height=225)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, tourists enjoy on an ice slide at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province on Jan. 2, 2024. (Xie Jianfei / Xinhua via AP)
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This year features a giant snow sculpture of Buddha. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFN3YOZE7XG47VRJJOD4RULQ5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=815fc6c58b50a38e060f83701b0462cab886159bb51c2929492ab92b11add03b&width=400&height=225)
The ice is sourced from the nearby Songhua River, frozen at this time of year. AP
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Fireworks at the opening ceremony of the festival on Friday. Reuters
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The snowy exhibits offer plenty of photo ops. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XKPHCSCM4A7RJV6LWJ64MBEVMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1d40d9afb1a20f4b5c18ea0e6722677e9202fa1ad56881a5f218c73f9d78827d&width=400&height=225)
The festival is enjoying a post-pandemic resurgence with residents and tourists. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VIQRYMGJ4EL2OEKKWOGIXTXZTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8133685336f12fc3a50a713fccfaf6c14b5aab3a27053040fa8fdaabf582673&width=400&height=225)
The festival is also popular among citizens from China's warmer south, who have been dubbed Little Southern Potatoes thanks to their furry-eared hats. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E4VKPZNVPCI6DEUDIQE4S26YPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ac707af6c3d3ea685bbde96c35ae1aa381695c2fb826e12af0a80bf1d5c5cc2&width=400&height=225)
The festival offers food stalls and family-friendly activities. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTXVKJGW4W3B4NFXMTAILBQ4S4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b5488a82b0176dd48cce8a8c45bea5dcf5f3bdb14e00a31a7daeb36b524ac05&width=400&height=225)
By night, the ice park transforms with colourful lights. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6AX7LH3OHXWQ4MJO3EIEMRS2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=160299e8691674b4cb96381432eea91cfb41c197964347f0b6181d3746463b65&width=400&height=225)
Snow bikes and sledges are available. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXGJLHKUPMTWQELHS73RLSLIPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe28c25ac84b114ee92301b8df008c1d38578994358c3b421e8c6d286406e129&width=400&height=225)
Disney-style castles made of ice are a highlight at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T3UI2DMZCIFJ2PSKCSA3GTI6CQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1221bd0115f21204310034f7cb0464d783555e2c7e41f2e49335a24401169543&width=400&height=225)
Other icy sculptures are carved to resemble Chinese-style bridges and buildings. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I5IH52ZSQMORKNLPTJOOXFRD44.jpg?smart=true&auth=292bb46fc1fab7e76fbf350f3c7adb8357deabb4003b607bcf2675d25b7089bf&width=400&height=225)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, tourists enjoy on an ice slide at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province on Jan. 2, 2024. (Xie Jianfei / Xinhua via AP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RAXTP2JADADAQUXMQTTONSMXXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=34d386cbbb234f502ff5d9dd7095326b499be7152cbe33ab40df3137d6cd8284&width=400&height=225)
This year features a giant snow sculpture of Buddha. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFN3YOZE7XG47VRJJOD4RULQ5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=815fc6c58b50a38e060f83701b0462cab886159bb51c2929492ab92b11add03b&width=400&height=225)
The ice is sourced from the nearby Songhua River, frozen at this time of year. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WHFSWWF3B23I2YPKJJN25HU4F4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd15e4dcd4766fb567ab0b518a6c2063ef741e51b4c3ae6361753c9e18a91127&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks at the opening ceremony of the festival on Friday. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ITPIRV4SBWFAXJM6DDGOOP3KAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=577793c9cc6d3aca9ff7fc09478e4a509fb0c3338232440f5fa453f0c6063460&width=400&height=225)
The snowy exhibits offer plenty of photo ops. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XKPHCSCM4A7RJV6LWJ64MBEVMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1d40d9afb1a20f4b5c18ea0e6722677e9202fa1ad56881a5f218c73f9d78827d&width=400&height=225)
The festival is enjoying a post-pandemic resurgence with residents and tourists. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VIQRYMGJ4EL2OEKKWOGIXTXZTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8133685336f12fc3a50a713fccfaf6c14b5aab3a27053040fa8fdaabf582673&width=400&height=225)
The festival is also popular among citizens from China's warmer south, who have been dubbed Little Southern Potatoes thanks to their furry-eared hats. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E4VKPZNVPCI6DEUDIQE4S26YPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ac707af6c3d3ea685bbde96c35ae1aa381695c2fb826e12af0a80bf1d5c5cc2&width=400&height=225)
The festival offers food stalls and family-friendly activities. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTXVKJGW4W3B4NFXMTAILBQ4S4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b5488a82b0176dd48cce8a8c45bea5dcf5f3bdb14e00a31a7daeb36b524ac05&width=400&height=225)
By night, the ice park transforms with colourful lights. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6AX7LH3OHXWQ4MJO3EIEMRS2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=160299e8691674b4cb96381432eea91cfb41c197964347f0b6181d3746463b65&width=400&height=225)
Snow bikes and sledges are available. EPA
Harbin Snow Festival: Castles and slides and all things ice
Visitors are thronging to China's northernmost province for annual icy celebration
![Panna Munyal](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F06bc983d-10c7-433f-960a-1e9f892c4c24.png?smart=true&auth=3257c870e2e2c7661a245c0f4c9b3cadc5d2d951b708186dcf323bfa54659374&width=70&height=70)
Panna Munyal
07 January, 2024
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