The annual Harbin Ice Lantern Garden Party has been held since 1963. It had been interrupted for a number of years during the Cultural Revolution until it was resumed in 1985.
Harbin is one of the sources of ice and snow culture in the world. Geographically, it is located under the influence of the cold winter winds from Siberia. The average temperature in winter is -16.8 degrees Celsius, it can be as cold as - 38.1 degrees Celsius.
The Ice Lantern Garden Party take place in Harbin Zhaolin Garden every year from Jan 5 to the end of February. Ice sculpture decoration ranges from the modern technology of lasers to traditional ice lanterns. Winter activities in the garden party include Yabuli alpine skiing, winter-swimming in Songhua River. Snow carving and ice and snow recreations are world famous.
The Harbin festival is one of the world's four largest ice and snow festivals, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.
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