Tips about Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

► Venue: Harbin city (Harbin Conference and Exhibition Center, Harbin Songhua River, Sun Island Park, Zhaolin Park, Central Avenue and other places in Harbin)

► Duration: Around a month (varies slightly by venue)

► Open time: Dec. 15, 2024 to Mar. 10, 2025 (core period; specific hours differ by venue: Central Avenue 16:30-23:00, Zhaolin Park Feb. 7-20, 2025, etc.)

Brief Introduction

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival traces its roots back to 1963, when Harbin hosted its first ice lantern show—a modest event featuring simple ice carvings and lanterns along the Songhua River. However, due to historical reasons, the festival was suspended for decades before being officially revived in 1985. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s three major ice and snow festivals, alongside Canada’s Quebec Winter Carnival and Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival.|

Typically held from January 5th to February 25th each year, the festival coincides with Harbin’s coldest months, when temperatures hover between -20°C and -25°C—ideal conditions for preserving the intricate ice and snow sculptures. The event kicks off with a grand opening ceremony featuring parades, folk performances, and fireworks, setting the tone for over a month of winter fun. Beyond its artistic appeal, the festival also serves as a platform for cultural exchange, attracting artists, tourists, and businesspeople from around the globe.

Where to See the Harbin and Snow Festival

While Harbin’s entire city takes on a festive glow during the season, two venues stand out as the heart of the Ice and Snow Festival: Harbin Ice and Snow World and Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo. Each offers a distinct experience, so allocating time to visit both is highly recommended.

Harbin Ice and Snow World, located in the Songbei District, is the festival’s star attraction. Covering an area of over 600,000 square meters, it is dedicated to ice art, featuring massive sculptures crafted from ice blocks harvested from the Songhua River. The venue is open from late afternoon until midnight, with the evening being the most magical time when the sculptures are illuminated by thousands of colorful LED lights. Note that due to its size and popularity, it’s best to arrive early (around 3-4 PM) to avoid long lines and have ample time to explore before dark.

Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo, situated on Sun Island—a scenic island in the Songhua River—is focused on snow art. Here, artists create larger-than-life snow sculptures, some reaching heights of over 30 meters. The expo covers approximately 1.5 square kilometers and is divided into themed zones, such as “World Famous Landmarks” and “Fairy Tale Kingdom.” Unlike Ice and Snow World, which is best enjoyed at night, Sun Island is stunning during the day, when natural light highlights the texture and detail of the snow sculptures. It’s a more relaxed venue, perfect for leisurely walks and photography.

Sun Island

Additionally, Zhaolin Park (near the city center) hosts a traditional ice lantern show, a throwback to the festival’s early days. While smaller in scale than Ice and Snow World, it offers a charming, intimate experience with delicate ice lanterns and traditional Chinese-themed sculptures—ideal for a post-dinner stroll.

What to See During Harbin and Snow Festival

► Day Events

During the day, there will be the mass cultural performances in the main city area. In the Songhua River Winter Swimming Field will held the 13th international invitational tournament of winter swimming event. Tourists can play bumper cars, ice hovercraft, snowmobiling, produced in the Netherlands children bicycle and other funny activities on the Harbin Ice and Snow Happy Valley Also tourists can go to appreciate the art of ice and snow in the Sun Island, or go skiing in the ski resort, etc.

► Night Events

After nightfall, the colorful lanterns lighten the street, making the city more colorful. At this time, people can go to streets to watch the streets ice lanterns at night, people can also attend the city group of people singing and dancing. At night, the 15th in Harbin Ice and Snow World officially opened, residents and guests will enjoy the beautiful show of outdoor ice performance, characteristic "ice show" of indoor theatrical performance and finally will have fireworks, and citizens on both sides of the Songhua River can appreciate it.

How to Get There

► By bus
1. Taking No.552, 213, 119, 80, 211, 212 216, 219,551 and 215 to the Sun Island Crossing to get off.
2. Taking No.125, 126, and 88 to Ice and Snow World to get off.
3. Taking No.29 to Shangwu Road.

► By taxi
From the central avenue of Harbin city to take taxi there, it will costs 20 to 30 RMB.

► Self-driving
Start from the downtown of Harbin, going east along Taishan Street, then get out from the exit 2 of roundabout to go to Tianyuan Street, turn left to enter Jiangwan Road and then turn right to enter Songbei Road and going for 4.4 miles to reach Ice and Snow World.

Practical Tips for the Festival

To ensure your visit to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is smooth and enjoyable, here are some essential practical tips to keep in mind:

Ticket Booking: Tickets for major venues like Ice and Snow World and Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo can be purchased online in advance or at the venue ticket offices. Online booking is recommended, especially during weekends and holidays, to avoid long queues. Combined tickets for multiple venues are often available at a discounted price—check official platforms or travel apps for deals. Note that ticket prices may be higher after 5 PM for Ice and Snow World (when the lights turn on), so plan your purchase accordingly.
Warmth & Safety: Harbin’s winter cold is extreme, so layering up is non-negotiable. Wear thermal underwear, a thick down jacket, woolen pants, snow boots with anti-slip soles, and accessories like a fur-lined hat, scarf, waterproof gloves, and a mask. Carry hand warmers and foot warmers (easily available in local convenience stores) to keep extremities warm. Avoid touching ice sculptures with bare hands for extended periods to prevent frostbite. If you feel dizzy or numb, head to a heated rest area immediately.
Time Management: Allocate at least 3-4 hours for Ice and Snow World (focus on evening hours) and 2-3 hours for Sun Island (best visited during the day). Arrive at Ice and Snow World around 3-4 PM to explore the sculptures in daylight and stay for the light-up at dusk. For Sun Island, aim for mid-morning to early afternoon when the sun is bright but not too harsh. Avoid visiting both venues on the same day if you prefer a relaxed pace—spread them out over two days.
Food and Drinks: The festival venues have food stalls selling hot snacks and drinks, but prices can be higher than in the city center. Carry a thermos with hot water or tea to stay hydrated. For a more substantial meal, head to Central Avenue or the city center after your visit—there are plenty of restaurants serving local dishes like mutton hot pot and Harbin-style braised pork, which are perfect for warming up.
Photography Tips: Cold temperatures drain camera batteries quickly, so bring extra fully charged batteries and keep them warm in your coat pocket. Use a lens cloth to wipe away frost from the camera lens. For night photography at Ice and Snow World, use a tripod to capture the illuminated sculptures sharply. Adjust your camera’s white balance to “tungsten” or “incandescent” to avoid yellowish photos under the LED lights.
Crowd Avoidance: The festival is most crowded on weekends, public holidays, and during the Chinese New Year period. If possible, visit on weekdays for a more comfortable experience. Early mornings at Sun Island and late evenings (after 9 PM) at Ice and Snow World tend to be less crowded.

Recommended Harbin Tour: 7 Days Winter Tour from Beijing to Harbin

(Highlights: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Badaling Great Wall, Changling Tomb, Sun Island, St. Sophia Cathedral, Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, Yabuli Ski Resort)