Harbin Ice and Snow Festival to open 'China-Russia Tourism Year'

While surf buffs are riding the waves on Hainan Island this winter, some 4,300 kilometers to the north residents of Harbin (哈尔滨) are getting their skates on for the upcoming ice and snow festival -- an icy “Disneyland” for the locals.

Russian influence

Now in its 28th year, the 2012 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (哈尔滨冰雪节) will kick off on January 5 in various locations around the city.

The closing date of the festival will depend on the weather, but according to China Daily it will last for about two months. 

As Harbin is so close to Russia, the upcoming winter extravaganza is also a key part of China's 2012 "tourism year of Russia," a reciprocal campaign run by China and Russia to promote tourism.

In turn, Russia will host "tourism year of China" in 2013.

Russian culture and architecture will be incorporated in the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Harbin’s Sun Island, which is a part of the festival to showcase artistic snow sculptures made by artists from around the world.

Get ready to slip down the world's longest ice slide in Harbin.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival’s three main sites

The long-running ice and snow festival is one of China’s most important tourist events in winter and is definitely the biggest tourism draw for Harbin, capital of China’s most northeast province Heilongjiang.

"[Harbin Ice and Snow Festival] boasts the longest time span, the most abundant activities and the biggest influence of its kind across the globe," said Harbin mayor Lin Duo (林铎).

"We warmly welcome guests from around the world to join the carnival," continued Lin.

Next year’s festival will take place in three main sites.

In addition to the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, visitors can release their inner child in the Harbin Ice and Snow world, an ice theme park with 2,000 ice sculptures and more than 30 entertainment activities. Or check out China’s best illuminated ice sculptures at the Ice Lantern Artistic Park.

The organizer is also planning to build the world’s longest ice slide, but the actual length and the venue are yet to be announced.

International ice and snow sculpting competitions are also in the pipeline.

According to the organizer, more than 20 teams from around the world have applied to take part in next year’s events, including some who have been competed in Harbin several years in a row.

"It's always a matter of pride for a sculptor to compete in Harbin, the world-famous 'city of ice'," sculptor Tatyana Schremko told China Daily. The 76-year-old U.S. artist has been sculpting ice for the past five decades.

"I hope to continue participating in the competition until the time I can no longer afford the travel,” she added. “I'd like to leave one piece each year for the residents here."

Other festival highlights include a reindeer parade, a group wedding ceremony and various winter sports events.

(Click the gallery above to see highlights from the previous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.)

Festival background

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is dubbed “one of the four biggest ice and snow festivals around the world” by various Chinese media, on par with Sapporo Snow Festival, Quebec Winter Carnival and Holmenkollen Ski Festival in Norway.

Nearly 13 million visitors spent RMB 12.117 billion at last year's festival in Harbin.