I had heard about Harbin’s famed ice festival for years, but I had never realized that snow sculptures were also part of this annual event.  While the ice structures were best viewed at night to enjoy the colorful lights, those of snow made a wonderful, if cold, afternoon activity.  Hand and foot warmers helped stave off the freezing cold temperatures: – 4 F the afternoon we visited the snow carvings.  

Given the festival opened on January 5, its snow offerings were still in development.  While there were incredible sculptures to see, there were also many blocks of snow awaiting artists or in the process of being built.  Our guide told us that it was not unusual for over 200 laborers to work on one sculpture.

Stay tuned for the ice festival photos, which I will post tomorrow.