Harbin Snow and Ice Festival 2021 Update

In 2021 the 37th Harbin Snow and Ice Festival theme will be ” Magical Harbin Ice Snow Charming China.”  The official opening of the Snow and Ice festival is on 5th January 2021 with a large firework display. However, there are other festival events that begin on 20th December. The festival runs until about the 5th of February.

As of June 2020 the festival has not been canceled due to corona.

There will be 5 categories of events and activities. Online info about the Harbin Festival and venues can be confusing so here is the low-down on where to go and what to see. I visited in 2014 and will be pleased to help anyone who wants any advice or further info, just leave a comment.

 Harbin Snow and Ice Festival 2020/2021

Venues:

1. Art Expo Harbin Ice and Snow World
2. Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Park, Harbin Snow and Ice Festival
3. Songhua River Ice and Snow Harbin Valley
4. Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair
5. There are a few new venues for the 2021 Ice and Snow Festival at the  Volgar Mannor and Ying Jie Scenic Area.

1. Art Expo Harbin Ice and Snow World

This is the biggest and the best of the ice festival venues. It has huge sculptures, usually with some common themes. there is a child’s area with an ice playground and slides. At night the structures are lit up and on the opening night there is a magnificent fire word display.

TIPS:

• The best time to visit is at night. It takes about 2 hours to enjoy this one Harbin Snow and Ice Venue.
• There is food and a souvenir store inside.
• 09:00-12:00  150CNY adults; 120CNY kids under 1.2 meters tall
• 12:00-21:00 300CNY adults (330CNY during New Year); 160CNY kids
• Venues 1 and 2 of the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival are both across the river from the city center so whatever Harbin hotel you choose you will need transport to visit these sites.
• Location: North bank of Songhua River, Songbei District, Harbin.
• Open Times: 20 December 2020 – February 2021; 9:30am – 21:00

2. Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Park

This is where you can see the Snow Carving Festival where beautiful creatures and structures are carved out of snow. This is different from Ice and Snow World where the structures are created with blocks of ice. This is a large area that holds several points of interest. There is a great play area for kids with slides, piles of soft snow, sleds, and more. There is also a small museum where a traditional home has been recreated. The main attraction is the snow sculpture show. There is so much to see and do you probably won’t get to it all. Definitely visit during the day rather than the night and take some snacks with you as the restaurant is not that great. the tickets are rather expensive but it is a full day out.

TIPS:

• Visit during the day.
• Polarland is right next door.
• Time spent there: between 2 hours and 3 depending on if you are with kids and whether you want to play in the snow, take a sled ride, eat, etc.
• There is an entrance ticket and a ticket for a small bus that takes you from the entrance around the sculptures. The bus ride is not necessary, just an added extra if you don’t fancy lots of walking.
• 8:30-19:00 during the  festival
• 260CNY adults; 120CNY kids 1.2-1.4 meters tall; kids under 1.2 meters tall go free. There is also a combo ticket – entrance and bus inside the park.
• Location: Northern side of Songhua River 

Songhua River Ice and Snow Harbin Valley

Held since 2000 this is the easiest Snow and Ice venue to reach on foot from city hotels. It is held on the actual frozen river covering about 100,000 square meters! It can be accessed from 5 different entrances and there are about 8 sections. There are many snow activities here for the whole family. Enjoy playing, skating, sledding, ice-bike riding, shopping, eating, and seeing incredible snow and ice artwork. In all, there are about 50 snow and ice-related activities and attractions here.

Among the attractions at the Songhua River Ice and Snow, Harbin Valley is the Ice Lantern Show and Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair. The park also hosts the Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition; the same event that is also held in the Art Expo Snow and Ice across the river. The park is the venue of the Ice Lantern Garden Party and Harbin Ice Lantern Artistic Show. 

TIPS:

• If you have to miss one venue at the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival, miss this one although it is convenient and good for visiting in the daytime and with kids.
• Entrance 200CNY adults; 100CNY kids between 1.2 meters and 1.4 meters, under 1.2 meters enter for free(during Ice Festival). The Ice Lantern Garden Party is held in Zhaolin Park and the entrance is a separate 100CNY for adults while kids under 1.4 meters tall enter for free. There are free and paying sections at this venue.
• Open hours: Normally opens in the first week of January and runs for about 50 days. 09:00-22:00
• Location: On the city-side of the Songhuajiang River by the Harbin Flood Control Monument, where Zhongyang Street meets the river.

Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Fair

This is one of the smaller Snow and Ice Festival venues. It is located in the city center and hosts the Ice Lantern Fair. The lanterns are true works of art. This traditional craft is used to create themed lanterns. Zhaolin Park may be the third Snow and Ice Festival on your list but it was where the Harbin Ice Festival actually started. Visit at night when the lanterns are lit up or in the early hours of the morning. During the day the park is still beautiful but it really comes to life at night. During the day you’ll have the place to yourself. It will take you 1-2 hours to see all the attractions at this ICe Festival venue.

Tips

• Price: 200RMB, free for children under 1.4m
• Open times: From 5th January to late February. 5am-9pm
• Location: Northern end of Zhaolin Dajie in Daoli District, central Harbin.
• The park is about a 5-minute walk (or less) from the central pedestrian street and you can even see it from the Ibis Hotel; it is the only one of the venues that is really in the city center and the only one you probably don’t need transport to reach.

Should I Visit Harbin Snow and Ice Festival 2022/2023?

Yes!

Don’t think twice, this is one of my most memorable destinations. Definitely visit in winter, although it is beautiful in the summer and spring as well. There is plenty to do for at least 3 days. In addition to the actual Ice Festival, there is also a tiger park, a historic church, museums, an aquarium, and much more. The city is spread out so you’ll either need to rent a car, use a lot of taxis or take a guided tour of Harbin. If you have any questions or suggestions about Harbin 2021 please leave a comment and I will get back to you.