Harbin in winter is a dreamlike world of ice and snow. The bustling and prosperous scene of the last ice and snow season seems still fresh in our memory. The preparations for the 2026 ice and snow season have already begun, with the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival being expected to open on January 5, 2026, and lasting until the end of February. By then, the entire city of Harbin will be adorned with ice and snow elements. Visitors can admire exquisite, dreamlike ice and snow sculptures, partake in a variety of thrilling and entertaining ice sports, and marvel at romantic ice lanterns. This year’s festival features numerous upgrades compared with previous editions, promising an even better experience for all tourists.
 

Harbin Ice and Snow World

This year's Ice and Snow Festival will have three venues, each covering over one million square meters. The Harbin Ice and Snow World will expand from 1 million to 1.2 million square meters (250 to 300 acres). The number of snow sculptures on Sun Island will increase to over 260. Meanwhile, the Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival will span a total of 1.45 million square meters (360 acres), creating a grand ice and snow paradise for thousands of visitors to enjoy.
 

Snowflake Ferris Wheel

Snow Sculpture Group

During the festival, Harbin will organize over 200 activities such as singing and dancing performances and parade, allowing tourists to fully enjoy themselves in addition to appreciating the icy and snowy landscape. Meanwhile, the city will host events like the Harbin Ice and Snow Food Festival, enabling visitors to savor authentic local delicacies while exploring the winter wonderland. 
 

To enhance the experience for visitors from around the world, Harbin is continuously accelerating the process of entry procedures, expanding English-language services in hotels and transportation, and diversifying payment methods to cater to international guests. 
 

The city upgrades public service facilities such as tourist centers, parking lots, warming rest halls, washing rooms, and barrier-free facilities. In addition, Harbin has added shuttle buses connecting major attractions and increased the frequency of these buses to provide greater convenience for visitors. 
 

As the core venue of the Ice and Snow Festival, it is the world's largest ice and snow theme park. Here, visitors can experience the thrilling 521-meter-long (1,709-foot) ice slide, admire ice sculptures modeled after the characteristic buildings of various countries and animated characters, such as Elsa's palace and neatly arranged Terracotta Warriors, as well as enjoy entertainment programs like ice bicycles and ice bumper cars. 
 

Ice Slide

 

Every winter, Sun Island hosts the Harbin International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, showcasing snow sculptures crafted by artists from across the globe. Home to the world’s largest snow sculptures, the expo is breathtaking at first glance, and its intricate details never fail to impress you upon closer inspection. With over 260 snow sculptures of varying sizes and designs, including galloping horse herds, cute snowmen, the iconic Monkey King, and exquisite castles, it forms a magical snow fairyland. Additionally, you can watch artists create snow sculptures on the spot and even make your own unique snow sculpture on the adjacent snowfield.
 

Snow sculptures on Sun Island

Located in downtown Harbin, Zhaolin Park is the venue for the renowned Ice Lantern Garden Party - the world’s earliest and largest outdoor ice lantern art exhibition. Every winter, hundreds of exquisite ice lanterns are on display here. At night, lights shine through the crystal-clear ice blocks, transforming the park into a vibrant, colorful fairyland. The park also offers small ice slides, ice mazes, and other entertainment facilities, making it an ideal destination for families with children.
 

Bear-shaped ice sculpture

Ice lanterns in Zhaolin Park

In winter, the Songhua River freezes over with a thick layer of ice, turning into a vast ice entertainment venue. Here, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including ice motorcycles, ice go-karts, ice biking, and ice skating.
 

Exciting snowmobile

Snow buggy

1. Harbin’s winter is extremely cold, with wind-chill temperatures dropping to -20℃ (-4℉) or lower. Dress warmly in thick down jackets, thermal pants, hats, scarves, gloves, and masks, and carry a thermos and heat packs.

2. Low temperatures drain phone and camera batteries quickly; bring a power bank for extended use.

3. Heated rest areas are available throughout all the venues; avoid prolonged exposure to the cold outdoors.

4. Avoid peak periods such as the Chinese New Year Holiday and weekends to enjoy a more relaxed experience.