Magical icy world attracts tourists - 19th January 2024

The Harbin Ice Sculpture Festival’s returned and is in full swing following the struggles of the pandemic.

While, in 2018, average daily visitor numbers reached 18,500, the current year’s seen the number enjoying the festival park every day jump to over 30,000. According to the region’s local TV station, 163,200 people visited over the New Year's holidays, injecting the local economy with $6.45 million.

The ice sculpture festival features Chinese-style buildings, bridges, fairytale castles, ice slides for the children and an ice replica of the Paris cathedral of Notre Dame was even unveiled. As darkness falls, colourful lights illuminate the sculptures and fireworks burst into colour overhead.

All of which was greatly appreciated by university student Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying: "Even though it’s a bit cold, I think the ice sculptures are really beautiful. Also we just saw a fireworks show. I was very shocked because I’ve never seen fireworks like that before. It was really worth it."

Interest in the festival, situated in China’s northernmost province Heilongjiang, has jumpstarted what tourist authorities are calling the "ice and snow miracle". In spite of temperatures as low as minus 24 degrees celsius, over 3 million people have visited the city during the festival, many visitors making the trip from China’s warmer southern provinces.

Local residents have coined the term "the Southern Little Potatoes" for these visitors sporting thick hats with furry ears. After this trended on Chinese social media, it garnered even more interest in the region, its cold and snowy winters, and the festival.

But despite their preparations, the cold’s still hit these university friends.

Fu: "Also I think going through the cold and preparing for it is part of the fun experience of coming to Harbin, everybody preparing together, and sharing how to prepare how to get through the cold."

Lin: "Yes, but even though we prepared a lot, my feet still can’t handle it. I need to go indoors."