The 27th edition of Harbin Ice and Snow World opened this Wednesday. Built with a record 400,000 cubic metres of ice and snow, spanning a colossal 1.2 million square metres in Heilongjiang’s capital, the entire park is meticulously rebuilt each year as a major tourist attraction.
This year’s edition, themed “A Fairy-Tale World of Ice and Snow,” features three grand landscaped areas, an outdoor stage, a 521-metre super ice slide, and a 120-metre observation wheel. A key attraction is its intelligent lighting system, with sculptures becoming illuminated at dusk, creating a spectacular display.
The park’s winter calendar is packed with events, including a regular parade, ice sculpture competitions, snow football, ice hockey, and a New Year’s Eve concert.
[See more: Winter Flower Show to bring ‘Fields of Purple Blossoms’ to Taipa]
The opening is a flagship event for China’s rapidly expanding “ice-snow economy.” Analysts note the sector is evolving from seasonal tourism into a comprehensive industry encompassing manufacturing, sports, and cultural experiences.
“From intelligent snow-making to AI-guided tours, these hard-tech applications form the core of competitiveness,” economist Tian Yun told the Global Times.
Harbin Ice and Snow World was originally established in 1999 as a large-scale ice and snow art project launched by the Harbin Municipal Government to welcome the coming of the new century. The park has since garnered numerous accolades, including the national award for “Most Influential Ice and Snow Tourism Destination.”
