The annual Ice Festival is Harbin's main winter draw. The Harbin International Ice Festival only started about 10 years ago, and it is already one of world's four biggest such ice and snow festivals, along with the famous ones in Sapporo, Norway, and Quebec. Harbin is called "Ice City", and the winters are bitterly cold, but the conditions are right for the ice festival.At first, mainly Chinese participated, but in the last few years, it has become an international festival and competition. As the festival grows in international participation, and as China's economy grows, the size of the snow sculpture and ice architecture exhibits keeps growing. The work going into making these exhibits is astounding, and their size and beauty is amazing. The festival is officially held from January 5 to February 5 each year.
However, the exhibits may open at the end of December and stay to late February. Check with our travel advisor if there are any ice sculptures available if you miss the festival time. The first Ice lanterns were a winter-time tradition in northeast China. During the Qing Dynasty（1644 - 1911), the local peasants and fishermen often made and used ice lanterns as jack-lights during the winter months. At that time these were made simply by pouring water into a bucket that was then put out in the open to freeze. It was then gently warmed before the water froze completely so that the bucket-shaped ice could be pulled out. A hole was chiseled in the top and the water remaining inside poured out creating a hollow vessel.
A candle was then placed inside resulting in a windproof lantern that gained great popularity in the region around the city. From then on, people made ice lanterns and put them outside their houses or gave them to children to play with during some of the traditional festivals. Thus the ice lantern began its long history of development. With novel changes and immense advancement in techniques, today we can marvel at the various delicate and artistic ice lanterns on display.
* Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs/ animals/ yoga/ places are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. all image credit goes to their Photographers.
Published by Vikas Acharya
I'am a passionate, optimistic & dedicated man who takes up responsibilities with utmost enthusiasm and see to it that I complete my tasks and assignments in time. I'have a great amount of perseverance to achieve my goal. My optimistic and planned approach in things I do is what driving me towards my success. Professional Carrier: Working as an Travel coordinators I am responsible to book tickets, provide research about destinations, plan trips and advise clients. suggest the best times to travel and which activities to enjoy. I am also responsible to reserve rental cars, hotel rooms and schedule tours. As an Travel coordinator I am specialize in regions, countries or client. Knowledge of foreign documentation, such as passports, vaccinations, visas and work permits.As travel planner I spends most of his time in my office environment behind a desk - filling out paperwork, communicating with clients, contacting hotels and booking flights. I'll spend a lot of time on the phone and at the computer. Note: I have collected all the articles from web through various websites, may be some articles are written by me and others are the collection of another website/author, I have no © on some of these images/articles. If you find your image/article which is copyrighted mail me to [email protected] we'll remove them within the next 48hrs. View all posts by Vikas Acharya
