🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 181 (from laksa120)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa181.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.businessinsider.com/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.businessinsider.com/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1","crawl_time":1774199418,"first_indexed_time":1547215339,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,businessinsider!www,\/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1 s443","src_root_hash":"15170859634011428381","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Photos: China's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Is a Winter Wonderland - Business Insider","meta_descriptions":["One of the world's largest ice and snow festivals takes place in Harbin, China annually. It includes ice sculptures and a winter swimming contest."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nJan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT\nHarbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors.\nThe festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5.\nThe festival's winter attractions\ninclude life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen.\nThere's also an\nice-\nswimming tournament in which swimmers\nbrave the freezing waters\nof the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures.\nChina's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues.\nThe festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors,\naccording to NBC News\n.\nThe festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance.\nFor those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far.\nThe 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5.\nFireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nLin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.”\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\nDespite the sub-zero temperatures,\ntourists like Renlong flock to Harbin\nfrom around the world and all over China.\nHarbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website.\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\nThat's an area larger than California's Disneyland.\nVisitors can enjoy\nHarbin's Ice and Snow World\nfor about $48.\nThe event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.\nAn illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nHarbin Ice and Snow World\nalone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice.\nThe Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters.\nTourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nAfter the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights.\nIce sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n The green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down.\nSome sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine.\nTourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nThe festival also has a\nrestaurant made entirely of ice\n, where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot. \nOther sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions.\nIce sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nThirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day\nice sculpting competition\n.\nVisitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River.\nA couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\nThe snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations.\nSnow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too.\nTourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nThis sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena \"Arena of Valor.\"\nVisitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park.\nTourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China.\n \nTao Zhang\/Getty\nThe main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long.\nOther activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are\nless snowy\noptions, too, like\ncalligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance.\nThe festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies.\nNewlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018.\n \nTao Zhang\/Getty\nA record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion.\nTo help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes.\nWorkers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.\n \nVCG\/Getty\nThe festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks.\nOther cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks.\nThousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year.\n \nKevin Frayer\/Getty\nThese sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River.\nIn the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river.\nWorkers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River.\n \nKevin Frayer\/Getty\nThey then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river.\nThe ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site.\nThe festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River.\n \nKevin Frayer\/Getty\nWorkers earn about $35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.\nBy the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total.\nWorkers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures.\nBlocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders.\n \nKevin Frayer\/Getty\nMost of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer.\nOne of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River.\nA swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\nChina's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest.\nMen and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5.\nSwimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.\n \nGreg Baker\/Getty\nHundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to\nReuters\n. The surrounding air temperature was just\n5 degrees Fahrenheit\n.\nMuch like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke.\nWithstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament.\nParticipants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019.\n \nTyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n“You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,”\nhe said\n.\nWinter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about\n40% of those who do it are senior citizens,\n according to a\nBeijing Tourism Agency\n.\nChina\nRead 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Österreich](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.de\/?IR=C)\n\n[España](https:\/\/businessinsider.es\/)\n\n[Japan](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.jp\/)\n\n[Polska](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com.pl\/?IR=C)\n\n[TW 全球中文版](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.tw\/)\n\n[Get the app](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/app \"Get the Business Insider app\")\n\n[Business Insider](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/)\n\n# A city in China hosts an elaborate winter festival with giant ice castles, mass weddings, and a frigid swimming contest — take a look\nBy   [Aylin Woodward](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/aylin-woodward)\n\n![Harbin Ice Festival China 2019](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350402?width=700)\n\nTourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China.  VCG\/Getty\n\nJan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT\n\nShare\n\nCopy link\n\n[Email](<mailto:?subject=A city in China hosts an elaborate winter festival with giant ice castles, mass weddings, and a frigid swimming contest — take a look&body=A%20city%20in%20China%20hosts%20an%20elaborate%20winter%20festival%20with%20giant%20ice%20castles%2C%20mass%20weddings%2C%20and%20a%20frigid%20swimming%20contest%20%E2%80%94%20take%20a%20look%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&> \"Email\")\n\nFacebook\n\nWhatsApp\n\nX\n\nLinkedIn\n\nBluesky\n\nThreads\n\nAn icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.\n\nImpact Link\n\nSave Saved\n\n[Read in app](https:\/\/insider-app.onelink.me\/4cpG\/?af_js_web=true&af_ss_ver=2_3_0&af_dp=insider%3A%2F%2Fbi%2Fpost%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&af_force_deeplink=true&is_retargeting=true&deep_link_value=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&pid=businessinsider&c=post_page_share_bar_v2_smart_4.13.23 \"Download the app\")\n\n- Harbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors.\n- The festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5.\n- [The festival's winter attractions](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/chinas-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival-2014-1) include life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen.\n- There's also an ice-swimming tournament in which swimmers [brave the freezing waters](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/iceman-wim-hof-dutch-technique-science-2019-1) of the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures.\n\nChina's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues.\n\nThe festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors, [according to NBC News](https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/slideshow\/ice-sculptures-glow-hot-neon-chinese-festival-n840656).\n\nThe festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance.\n\nFor those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far.\n\n## The 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5.\n![Fireworks over Harbin ice festival](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nFireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThe festival's four theme parks are the [Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p14-harbin-sun-island-international-snow-sculpture-art-expo.html), [Harbin Ice and Snow World](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html), Harbin [Wanda Ice Lantern World](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p48-harbin-wanda-ice-lantern-world.html), and [Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair](http:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p8-harbin-ice-lantern-show.html).\n\n## Lin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.”\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nDespite the sub-zero temperatures, [tourists like Renlong flock to Harbin](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081) from around the world and all over China.\n\n## Harbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website.\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThat's an area larger than California's Disneyland.\n\nVisitors can enjoy [Harbin's Ice and Snow World](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html) for about \\$48.\n\n## The event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.\n![Harbin ice castle](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nAn illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\n[Harbin Ice and Snow World](http:\/\/www.hrbicesnow.com\/) alone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice.\n\n## The Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters.\n![Harbin ice festival](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThere are also life-size replicas of the [Acropolis in Athens and Beijing's Forbidden City](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?h=e58c0d54aab431ad0594323f65e1d434de7a6e03ed4720bc737e6282d2728f61&platform=browser&postID=5c37dbc2bde70f3667350403&postSlug=china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fasia%2Fchina%2Fthings-to-do-harbin-ice-snow-festival%2F).\n\n## After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights.\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThe green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down.\n\n## Some sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine.\n![Ice sculpture Harbin](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThe festival also has a [restaurant made entirely of ice](https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/4826413\/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019\/), where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot.\n\n## Other sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions.\n![ice sculpture Harbin](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day [ice sculpting competition](https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/4826413\/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019\/).\n\n## Visitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River.\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nA couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThe snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations.\n\n## Snow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too.\n![Harbin snow sculpture](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThis sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena \"Arena of Valor.\"\n\n## Visitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park.\n![harbin tourists ice snow](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f8?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China.  Tao Zhang\/Getty\n\nThe main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long.\n\nOther activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are less snowy [options, too, like](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p9-harbin-international-ice-and-snow-sculpture-festival.html) calligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance.\n\n## The festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies.\n![Harbin ice festival wedding](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f9?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nNewlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018.  Tao Zhang\/Getty\n\nA record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion.\n\n## To help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes.\n![Carve snow sculpture Harbin](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503fa?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nWorkers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThe festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks.\n\n## Other cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks.\n![Constructing ice harbin](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fb?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nThousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nThese sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River.\n\n## In the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river.\n![Harbin Ice](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fc?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nWorkers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nThey then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river.\n\n## The ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site.\n![Hauling ice Harbin](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fd?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nThe festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nWorkers earn about \\$35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.  \n  \nBy the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total.\n\n## Workers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures.\n![Cutting ice harbin](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fe?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nBlocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nMost of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer.\n\n## One of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River.\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503ff?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nA swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nChina's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest.\n\n## Men and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5.\n![Ice Harbin Swimming](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350400?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nSwimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.  Greg Baker\/Getty\n\nHundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to [Reuters](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). The surrounding air temperature was just [5 degrees Fahrenheit](https:\/\/www.timeanddate.com\/weather\/china\/harbin\/historic).\n\nMuch like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke.\n\n## Withstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament.\n![Harbin Ice Festival China](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350401?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nParticipants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\n“You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” [he said](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081).\n\nWinter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about 40% of those who do it are senior citizens, according to a [Beijing Tourism Agency](https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/heilongjiang-travel\/harbin-travel\/harbin-winter-swimming).\n### Recommended video\n- [China](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/category\/china \"China\")\n\n## Read next\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know\n\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' 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[Main content](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1#post-headline)\n2. [Search](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1#search)\n3. [Account](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1#account)\n4. [Jump to top of page](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Harbin Ice Festival China 2019](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350402?width=700)\n\nTourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China.  VCG\/Getty\n\nJan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT\n\n- Harbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors.\n- The festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5.\n- [The festival's winter attractions](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/chinas-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival-2014-1) include life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen.\n- There's also an ice-swimming tournament in which swimmers [brave the freezing waters](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/iceman-wim-hof-dutch-technique-science-2019-1) of the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures.\n\nChina's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues.\n\nThe festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors, [according to NBC News](https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/slideshow\/ice-sculptures-glow-hot-neon-chinese-festival-n840656).\n\nThe festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance.\n\nFor those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far.\n\n## The 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nFireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\n## Lin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.”\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nDespite the sub-zero temperatures, [tourists like Renlong flock to Harbin](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081) from around the world and all over China.\n\n## Harbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThat's an area larger than California's Disneyland.\n\nVisitors can enjoy [Harbin's Ice and Snow World](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html) for about \\$48.\n\n## The event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nAn illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\n[Harbin Ice and Snow World](http:\/\/www.hrbicesnow.com\/) alone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice.\n\n## The Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\n## After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThe green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down.\n\n## Some sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThe festival also has a [restaurant made entirely of ice](https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/4826413\/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019\/), where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot.\n\n## Other sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nIce sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day [ice sculpting competition](https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/4826413\/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019\/).\n\n## Visitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nA couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nThe snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations.\n\n## Snow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThis sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena \"Arena of Valor.\"\n\n## Visitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f8?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nTourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China.  Tao Zhang\/Getty\n\nThe main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long.\n\nOther activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are less snowy [options, too, like](https:\/\/www.icefestivalharbin.com\/attraction-p9-harbin-international-ice-and-snow-sculpture-festival.html) calligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance.\n\n## The festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f9?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nNewlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018.  Tao Zhang\/Getty\n\nA record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion.\n\n## To help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbebde70f36673503fa?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nWorkers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019.  VCG\/Getty\n\nThe festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks.\n\n## Other cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fb?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nThousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nThese sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River.\n\n## In the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fc?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nWorkers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nThey then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river.\n\n## The ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fd?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nThe festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nWorkers earn about \\$35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.\n\nBy the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total.\n\n## Workers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fe?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nBlocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders.  Kevin Frayer\/Getty\n\nMost of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer.\n\n## One of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503ff?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nA swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\nChina's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest.\n\n## Men and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350400?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nSwimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.  Greg Baker\/Getty\n\nHundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to [Reuters](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). The surrounding air temperature was just [5 degrees Fahrenheit](https:\/\/www.timeanddate.com\/weather\/china\/harbin\/historic).\n\nMuch like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke.\n\n## Withstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament.\n![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350401?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)\n\nParticipants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019.  Tyrone Siu\/REUTERS\n\n“You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” [he said](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-china-icefestival\/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081).\n\nWinter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about 40% of those who do it are senior citizens, according to a [Beijing Tourism Agency](https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/heilongjiang-travel\/harbin-travel\/harbin-winter-swimming).\n\n- [China](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/category\/china \"China\")\n\nRead next","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.businessinsider.com/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1
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Boilerpipe Text	Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China. VCG/Getty Jan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT Harbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors. The festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5. The festival's winter attractions include life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen. There's also an ice- swimming tournament in which swimmers brave the freezing waters of the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures. China's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues. The festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors, according to NBC News . The festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance. For those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far. The 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5. Fireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty Lin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.” Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS Despite the sub-zero temperatures, tourists like Renlong flock to Harbin from around the world and all over China. Harbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website. Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS That's an area larger than California's Disneyland. Visitors can enjoy Harbin's Ice and Snow World for about $48. The event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival. An illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. VCG/Getty Harbin Ice and Snow World alone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice. The Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters. Tourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights. Ice sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down. Some sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine. Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival also has a restaurant made entirely of ice , where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot. Other sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions. Ice sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty Thirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day ice sculpting competition . Visitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River. A couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations. Snow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too. Tourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty This sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena "Arena of Valor." Visitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park. Tourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China. Tao Zhang/Getty The main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long. Other activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are less snowy options, too, like calligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance. The festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies. Newlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018. Tao Zhang/Getty A record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion. To help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes. Workers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks. Other cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks. Thousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year. Kevin Frayer/Getty These sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River. In the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river. Workers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty They then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river. The ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site. The festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty Workers earn about $35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. By the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total. Workers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures. Blocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders. Kevin Frayer/Getty Most of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer. One of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River. A swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS China's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest. Men and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5. Swimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Greg Baker/Getty Hundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to Reuters . The surrounding air temperature was just 5 degrees Fahrenheit . Much like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke. Withstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament. Participants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS “You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” he said . Winter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about 40% of those who do it are senior citizens, according to a Beijing Tourism Agency . China Read next
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VCG/Getty Jan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT Share Copy link [Email](<mailto:?subject=A city in China hosts an elaborate winter festival with giant ice castles, mass weddings, and a frigid swimming contest — take a look&body=A%20city%20in%20China%20hosts%20an%20elaborate%20winter%20festival%20with%20giant%20ice%20castles%2C%20mass%20weddings%2C%20and%20a%20frigid%20swimming%20contest%20%E2%80%94%20take%20a%20look%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&> "Email") Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved [Read in app](https://insider-app.onelink.me/4cpG/?af_js_web=true&af_ss_ver=2_3_0&af_dp=insider%3A%2F%2Fbi%2Fpost%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&af_force_deeplink=true&is_retargeting=true&deep_link_value=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fchina-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&pid=businessinsider&c=post_page_share_bar_v2_smart_4.13.23 "Download the app") - Harbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors. - The festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5. - [The festival's winter attractions](https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival-2014-1) include life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen. - There's also an ice-swimming tournament in which swimmers [brave the freezing waters](https://www.businessinsider.com/iceman-wim-hof-dutch-technique-science-2019-1) of the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures. China's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues. The festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors, [according to NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/ice-sculptures-glow-hot-neon-chinese-festival-n840656). The festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance. For those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far. ## The 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5. ![Fireworks over Harbin ice festival](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Fireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival's four theme parks are the [Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p14-harbin-sun-island-international-snow-sculpture-art-expo.html), [Harbin Ice and Snow World](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html), Harbin [Wanda Ice Lantern World](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p48-harbin-wanda-ice-lantern-world.html), and [Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair](http://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p8-harbin-ice-lantern-show.html). ## Lin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.” ![Harbin Ice Festival China](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS Despite the sub-zero temperatures, [tourists like Renlong flock to Harbin](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081) from around the world and all over China. ## Harbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website. ![Harbin Ice Festival China](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS That's an area larger than California's Disneyland. Visitors can enjoy [Harbin's Ice and Snow World](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html) for about \$48. ## The event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival. ![Harbin ice castle](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) An illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. VCG/Getty [Harbin Ice and Snow World](http://www.hrbicesnow.com/) alone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice. ## The Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters. ![Harbin ice festival](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty There are also life-size replicas of the [Acropolis in Athens and Beijing's Forbidden City](https://affiliate.insider.com/?h=e58c0d54aab431ad0594323f65e1d434de7a6e03ed4720bc737e6282d2728f61&platform=browser&postID=5c37dbc2bde70f3667350403&postSlug=china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fasia%2Fchina%2Fthings-to-do-harbin-ice-snow-festival%2F). ## After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights. ![Harbin Ice Festival China](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down. ## Some sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine. ![Ice sculpture Harbin](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival also has a [restaurant made entirely of ice](https://globalnews.ca/news/4826413/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019/), where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot. ## Other sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions. ![ice sculpture Harbin](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty Thirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day [ice sculpting competition](https://globalnews.ca/news/4826413/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019/). ## Visitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River. ![Harbin Ice Festival China](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) A couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations. ## Snow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too. ![Harbin snow sculpture](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=500&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty This sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena "Arena of Valor." ## Visitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park. ![harbin tourists ice snow](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f8?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China. Tao Zhang/Getty The main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long. Other activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are less snowy [options, too, like](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p9-harbin-international-ice-and-snow-sculpture-festival.html) calligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance. ## The festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies. ![Harbin ice festival wedding](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f9?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Newlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018. Tao Zhang/Getty A record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion. ## To help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes. ![Carve snow sculpture Harbin](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503fa?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Workers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks. ## Other cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks. ![Constructing ice harbin](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fb?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Thousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year. Kevin Frayer/Getty These sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River. ## In the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river. ![Harbin Ice](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fc?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Workers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty They then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river. ## The ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site. ![Hauling ice Harbin](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fd?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) The festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty Workers earn about \$35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. By the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total. ## Workers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures. ![Cutting ice harbin](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fe?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Blocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders. Kevin Frayer/Getty Most of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer. ## One of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River. ![Harbin Ice Festival China](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503ff?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) A swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS China's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest. ## Men and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5. ![Ice Harbin Swimming](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350400?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Swimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Greg Baker/Getty Hundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). The surrounding air temperature was just [5 degrees Fahrenheit](https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/china/harbin/historic). Much like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke. ## Withstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament. ![Harbin Ice Festival China](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350401?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Participants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS “You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” [he said](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). Winter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about 40% of those who do it are senior citizens, according to a [Beijing Tourism Agency](https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/heilongjiang-travel/harbin-travel/harbin-winter-swimming). ### Recommended video - [China](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/china "China") ## Read next ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know [HOME](https://www.businessinsider.com/) [Subscribe](https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription "Subscribe") [![Business Insider](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/stacked-black.svg)](https://www.businessinsider.com/ "Visit Business Insider") [![Download on the App Store](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/badges/app-store-badge.svg)](https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id554260576?mt=8) [![Get it on Google Play](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/badges/google-play-badge.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freerange360.mpp.businessinsider) Legal & Privacy - [Terms of Service](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) - [Terms of Sale](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms-of-sale) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/privacy-policy) - [Accessibility](https://www.businessinsider.com/accessibility) - [Code of Ethics Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/code-of-ethics) - [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/business-insider/) - [Disclaimer](https://www.businessinsider.com/disclaimer) - [Advertising Policies](https://www.businessinsider.com/advertising-policies) - [Conflict of Interest Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/conflict-of-interest-policy) - [Commerce Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/commerce-policy) - [Coupons Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/coupons-privacy-policy) - [Coupons Terms](https://www.businessinsider.com/coupons-terms) - [Cookie Settings](https://www.businessinsider.com/china-harbin-ice-snow-festival-winter-wonderland-2019-1) Company - [About Us](https://www.businessinsider.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.businessinsider.com/work-at-business-insider) - [Advertise With Us](https://advertising.businessinsider.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.businessinsider.com/contact) - [News Tips](https://www.businessinsider.com/secure-news-tips) - [Company News](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/business-insider-press-room) - [Awards](https://www.businessinsider.com/awards) - [Masthead](https://www.businessinsider.com/masthead) Other - [Sitemap](https://www.businessinsider.com/sitemap/html/index.html) - [Stock quotes by finanzen.net](https://www.finanzen.net/) - [Corrections](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/corrections) - [Community Guidelines](https://www.businessinsider.com/community-guidelines) - [AI Use](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-business-insider-newsroom-uses-ai) International Editions - [AT](https://www.businessinsider.de/?IR=C) - [DE](https://www.businessinsider.de/?IR=C) - [ES](https://businessinsider.es/) - [JP](https://www.businessinsider.jp/) - [PL](https://www.businessinsider.com.pl/?IR=C) - [TW](https://www.businessinsider.tw/) [Copyright © 2026](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) Insider Inc. 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Readable Markdown	![Harbin Ice Festival China 2019](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350402?width=700) Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China. VCG/Getty Jan 11, 2019, 1:49 PM GMT - Harbin, China hosts an International Ice and Snow Festival each year that draws millions of visitors. - The festival kicked off its 35th year on January 5. - [The festival's winter attractions](https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival-2014-1) include life-size ice sculptures, ice replicas of the Colosseum and Milan Cathedral, and massive snowmen. - There's also an ice-swimming tournament in which swimmers [brave the freezing waters](https://www.businessinsider.com/iceman-wim-hof-dutch-technique-science-2019-1) of the Songhua river in sub-zero temperatures. China's Heilongjiang Province isn't always a big destination for tourists, but when winter rolls around, the region rolls out the red carpet to millions of visitors from across the globe. The city of Harbin hosts one of the world's largest winter celebrations, called the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which features painstakingly crafted ice sculptures and gargantuan snow statues. The festival, which includes four separate theme parks, kicked off its 35th year on January 5 and runs until the end of February. Last year's attracted more than 18 million visitors, [according to NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/ice-sculptures-glow-hot-neon-chinese-festival-n840656). The festival's colored lights make the ice creations look even more striking, and each year weddings also take place there in abundance. For those unable to travel to Harbin this winter (presumably that's most of us), take a look at these stunning images from the festival so far. ## The 2019 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival's opening ceremony kicked off with fireworks on January 5. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ee?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Fireworks explode over the illuminated ice sculptures during the opening of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty ## Lin Renlong, a 22-year-old visiting from Hebei with his girlfriend, told Reuters that it's like “Disneyland in winter.” ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503ef?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS Despite the sub-zero temperatures, [tourists like Renlong flock to Harbin](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081) from around the world and all over China. ## Harbin Ice and Snow World — one of the four theme parks — grows larger every year; this year's covers more than 750,000 square meters, according to the festival website. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f0?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights are seen at annual ice festival, in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS That's an area larger than California's Disneyland. Visitors can enjoy [Harbin's Ice and Snow World](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p7-harbin-ice-and-snow-world.html) for about \$48. ## The event is one of the top ice and snow festivals in the world, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f1?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) An illuminated ice castle sculpture as seen at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. VCG/Getty [Harbin Ice and Snow World](http://www.hrbicesnow.com/) alone features 2,000 ice sculptures made from nearly 180,000 cubic meters (240,000 cubic yards) of ice. ## The Ice and Snow World includes replicas of famous landmarks like the Colosseum and smaller, but nonetheless impressive, sculptures like this ice-block post office that actually sends letters. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f2?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit an illuminated ice sculpture featuring a post office during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty ## After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures are awash in colored lights. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f3?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures are illuminated by colored lights at the annual ice festival in the northern city of Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The green chutes shown in this image are ice slides that visitors can zoom down. ## Some sculptures are affiliated with a brand, like this ice vending machine. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbdbde70f36673503f4?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit illuminated ice sculptures during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival also has a [restaurant made entirely of ice](https://globalnews.ca/news/4826413/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019/), where visitors can enjoy drinks and eat hotpot. ## Other sculptures are made by artists as part of ice-carving competitions. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f5?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Ice sculptures are seen during the opening day of 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty Thirty-four teams of artists from 16 countries participated in a three-day [ice sculpting competition](https://globalnews.ca/news/4826413/china-harbin-ice-festival-2019/). ## Visitors can also meander through the festival's display of 2,019 snowmen that sit on the frozen Songhua River. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f6?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) A couple walk between snowmen on Songhua River in Harbin, China, January 4, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS The snowmen sport flags or memorabilia from different nations. ## Snow sculptures far bigger than any snowman can be found, too. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f7?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit illuminated snow sculptures during the International Ice and Snow Festival at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty This sculpture features a character from the multiplayer online battle arena "Arena of Valor." ## Visitors can even ride ice bikes near the snow sculpture exposition in the Harbin Sun Island theme park. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f8?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Tourists visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo at Harbin Sun Island park on January 05 2019 in Harbin, China. Tao Zhang/Getty The main snow sculpture at Harbin Sun Island Park is 108 feet tall and more than 325 feet long. Other activities at the festival include ice-sailing, ice hockey, ice football, speed skating, skiing, and fishing. There are less snowy [options, too, like](https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p9-harbin-international-ice-and-snow-sculpture-festival.html) calligraphy displays, painting and photo exhibitions, and performances of folk music and dance. ## The festival also has a tradition of mass wedding ceremonies. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503f9?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Newlyweds hold a ceremony at the Harbin Sun Island park on December 31, 2018. Tao Zhang/Getty A record-breaking 47 couples bundled up to participate in a mass wedding ceremony during the festival this year. Proceedings took place in an ice castle constructed for the occasion. ## To help carve the festival's big snow sculptures, workers use cranes. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbebde70f36673503fa?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Workers carve snow sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World during the opening day of the 35th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, January 5, 2019. VCG/Getty The festival's many sculptures are constructed over the course of several weeks. ## Other cranes help workers construct tall ice sculptures out of ice blocks. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fb?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Thousands of workers cooperate to ensure the sculptures come together in time for the festival's kick-off in the New Year. Kevin Frayer/Getty These sculptures wouldn't be possible without the raw materials, of course — most of the ice comes from the nearby Songhua River. ## In the weeks leading up to the festival, workers use a machine to cut usable ice blocks from the frozen river. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fc?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Workers use use a machine to cut large blocks of ice that will be used in the making of ice sculptures from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty They then use ice picks to pull those blocks out of the river. ## The ice blocks are then dragged to the festival site. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fd?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) The festival's elaborate ice buildings and sculptures are made from blocks from the frozen Songhua River. Kevin Frayer/Getty Workers earn about \$35 a day transporting ice to the nearby Harbin Ice and Snow World. Each ice block can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. By the start of the festival, these workers have transported nearly 200,000 cubic metres of ice in total. ## Workers use chainsaws to carve the ice into smooth building blocks for sculptures. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503fe?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Blocks weighing up to 1,500 pounds each are sculpted to recreate architectural wonders. Kevin Frayer/Getty Most of the ice cutters are farmers from nearby villages. They start work before dawn in freezing cold temperatures, according to Getty photojournalist Kevin Frayer. ## One of the festival's major events is a swimming competition. Even though outdoor temperatures can sometimes be -30 degrees Fahrenheit, people dive into the frigid waters of the Songhua River. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f36673503ff?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) A swimmer reacts before an ice-swimming competition during the annual ice festival,- in Harbin, China January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS China's Heilongjiang Province borders Siberian Russia. But the freezing temperatures don't deter the hardcore swimmers who flock to a man-made pool carved into the Songhua river for an annual swimming contest. ## Men and women of all ages took the polar bear plunge on January 5. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350400?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Swimmers competed in an ice swimming contest in a pool carved from the frozen ice of the Songhua river during last year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Greg Baker/Getty Hundreds of men and women in only swimwear, goggles, and swim caps took to the water, according to [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). The surrounding air temperature was just [5 degrees Fahrenheit](https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/china/harbin/historic). Much like a typical swim race, competitors jumped from starting blocks and competed in breast stroke and back stroke. ## Withstanding such frigid water takes practice. Swimmer Yu Hongtao told Reuters that he trained for months in advance of the festival's swimming tournament. ![](https://i.insider.com/5c37dbbfbde70f3667350401?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Participants swim in a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua River during an ice swimming competition as a part of the annual festival in Harbin, China, January 5, 2019. Tyrone Siu/REUTERS “You have to start swimming from autumn so that the body can conquer the sudden icy impact on one’s cardio-vascular system,” [he said](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icefestival/china-kicks-off-month-long-winter-festival-in-northern-city-of-harbin-idUSKCN1OZ081). Winter swimming is something of a local sport in Harbin, and about 40% of those who do it are senior citizens, according to a [Beijing Tourism Agency](https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/heilongjiang-travel/harbin-travel/harbin-winter-swimming). - [China](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/china "China") Read next
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