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| URL | https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/ | |||||||||
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| Meta Title | The 2016 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - The Atlantic | |||||||||
| Meta Description | Every year, in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the city of Harbin hosts an Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring massive ice and snow sculptures. | |||||||||
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| Boilerpipe Text | Every year, in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the city of Harbin hosts the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring massive ice and snow sculpturesâmore than a million visitors are anticipated this year. At night, the sculptures are colorfully illuminated and visitors can climb and play on some of the structures. The festival officially opened on January 5, and will run through the end of February.
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Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or â/â.
People visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Sun Island park on January 1, 2015 in Harbin, China.
#
Tao Zhang / Demotix / Corbis
Read more
Visitors walk through the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
Visitors look at snow sculptures before the opening ceremony of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the festival in Harbin on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
People work on a snow sculpture at the Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Harbin on December 22, 2015.
#
Reuters
Read more
A horse stands in front of ice sculptures in Harbin on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
Swimmers dive into a pool carved from thick ice covering the Songhua River during the Harbin Ice Swimming Competition on January 5, 2016. The swimming competition was held on the official launch day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A swimmer competes in a pool carved into ice-covered Songhua River in Harbin on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
Workers polish an ice sculpture in the northern city of Harbin, China, on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A worker polishes an ice sculpture in Harbin on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A man walks past ice sculptures at a park before the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
Two policewomen chat in front of ice sculptures at the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights on the opening day of the festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights in Harbin, China, on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
People visit ice sculptures on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A group of visitors takes a picture at the China Ice and Snow World in Harbin on January 5, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
Fireworks light up the sky behind ice sculptures during the festivalâs opening day on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
A group of visitors ride a sleigh on the frozen Songhua River beside the Harbin international ice and snow festival on January 3, 2016.
#
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
Read more
A large snow sculpture stands in Harbin on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
People look at ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
People walk around a large snow sculpture ahead of the festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
People walk around ice and snow sculptures before the opening of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016.
#
Aly Song / Reuters
Read more
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# The 2016 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
- [Alan Taylor](https://www.theatlantic.com/author/alan-taylor/ "Alan Taylor")
- January 5, 2016
- 23 Photos
- In Focus
Every year, in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the city of Harbin hosts the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring massive ice and snow sculpturesâmore than a million visitors are anticipated this year. At night, the sculptures are colorfully illuminated and visitors can climb and play on some of the structures. The festival officially opened on January 5, and will run through the end of February.
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
**Hints:** View this page [full screen](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/). Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or â/â.
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- ![]()
People visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Sun Island park on January 1, 2015 in Harbin, China. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img01)
Tao Zhang / Demotix / Corbis
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Visitors walk through the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img02)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Visitors look at snow sculptures before the opening ceremony of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img03)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the festival in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img04)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People work on a snow sculpture at the Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Harbin on December 22, 2015. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img05)
Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A horse stands in front of ice sculptures in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img06)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Swimmers dive into a pool carved from thick ice covering the Songhua River during the Harbin Ice Swimming Competition on January 5, 2016. The swimming competition was held on the official launch day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img07)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A swimmer competes in a pool carved into ice-covered Songhua River in Harbin on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img08)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img09)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Workers polish an ice sculpture in the northern city of Harbin, China, on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img10)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A worker polishes an ice sculpture in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img11)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A man walks past ice sculptures at a park before the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img12)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Two policewomen chat in front of ice sculptures at the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img13)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights on the opening day of the festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img14)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights in Harbin, China, on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img15)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People visit ice sculptures on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img16)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A group of visitors takes a picture at the China Ice and Snow World in Harbin on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img17)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
Fireworks light up the sky behind ice sculptures during the festivalâs opening day on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img18)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A group of visitors ride a sleigh on the frozen Songhua River beside the Harbin international ice and snow festival on January 3, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img19)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
A large snow sculpture stands in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img20)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People look at ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img21)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People walk around a large snow sculpture ahead of the festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img22)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
- ![]()
People walk around ice and snow sculptures before the opening of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img23)
Aly Song / Reuters
[Read more](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/)
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| Readable Markdown | Every year, in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the city of Harbin hosts the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring massive ice and snow sculpturesâmore than a million visitors are anticipated this year. At night, the sculptures are colorfully illuminated and visitors can climb and play on some of the structures. The festival officially opened on January 5, and will run through the end of February.
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People visit the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Sun Island park on January 1, 2015 in Harbin, China. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img01)
Tao Zhang / Demotix / Corbis
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Visitors walk through the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img02)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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Visitors look at snow sculptures before the opening ceremony of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img03)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the festival in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img04)
Aly Song / Reuters
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People work on a snow sculpture at the Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Harbin on December 22, 2015. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img05)
Reuters
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A horse stands in front of ice sculptures in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img06)
Aly Song / Reuters
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Swimmers dive into a pool carved from thick ice covering the Songhua River during the Harbin Ice Swimming Competition on January 5, 2016. The swimming competition was held on the official launch day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img07)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A swimmer competes in a pool carved into ice-covered Songhua River in Harbin on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img08)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img09)
Aly Song / Reuters
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Workers polish an ice sculpture in the northern city of Harbin, China, on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img10)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A worker polishes an ice sculpture in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img11)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A man walks past ice sculptures at a park before the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img12)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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Two policewomen chat in front of ice sculptures at the China Ice and Snow World during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img13)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights on the opening day of the festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img14)
Aly Song / Reuters
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Ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights in Harbin, China, on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img15)
Aly Song / Reuters
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People visit ice sculptures on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img16)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A group of visitors takes a picture at the China Ice and Snow World in Harbin on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img17)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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Fireworks light up the sky behind ice sculptures during the festivalâs opening day on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img18)
Aly Song / Reuters
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A group of visitors ride a sleigh on the frozen Songhua River beside the Harbin international ice and snow festival on January 3, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img19)
Wang Zhao / AFP / Getty
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A large snow sculpture stands in Harbin on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img20)
Aly Song / Reuters
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People look at ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival on January 4, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img21)
Aly Song / Reuters
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People walk around a large snow sculpture ahead of the festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img22)
Aly Song / Reuters
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People walk around ice and snow sculptures before the opening of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2016. [\#](https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/the-2016-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/422655/#img23)
Aly Song / Reuters
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