The 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival opened on 5/1 at the Harbin Ice and Snow World park in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, northeast China. The festival runs until the end of February, coinciding with major Chinese holidays like Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.

Tourists pose in front of an ice sculpture of a train.

Spanning 1,2 million square meters, this is the world's largest ice and snow theme park and has been open for 27 consecutive years. The park has become a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually.

Visitors pose with artificial snow in the park.

Ice sculptors completed their works before the festival's opening on 4/1.

Under the night lights, the combination of 3D mapping shows and interactive technology transforms pure ice blocks into colorful artworks, offering visitors a magical visual experience.

An aerial view of an ice slide.

Visitors watch a light show performed by drones.

This year, over 400,000 cubic meters of ice were used for the sculptures.

The festival's success reflects China's strategy to position its ice and snow economy as a key growth driver. The industry's scale exceeded USD 143 billion in 2025, with over 14,000 businesses operating nationwide, and is projected to reach USD 215 billion by 2030.

Visitors can enjoy various activities: winter fishing, ice skating, snow football, and a 521-meter long ice sledding track.

Swimming enthusiasts warm up before diving into the cold water at the park.

A man clings to an ice-covered metal ladder, stepping ashore after jumping into the pool.

Two children enjoy sliding on the ice.

According to local authorities, on the first day of 2026, Harbin welcomed 1,4 million tourists, an 11,4% increase compared to last year.

"I booked tickets for popular attractions and hotel rooms half a month in advance", said Ru Xiaoqi, a tourist from Nanjing, Jiangsu province. "I felt it was incredibly worthwhile."

"The entire city showed thoughtful care for visitors, providing bilingual guides and free hot water. Every detail was excellent, and the experience exceeded expectations", she added.

Hong Hanh (Photos: AP/AFP)