(Pic Credits: bn.wikipedia.org)

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is one of the biggest annual snow-themed winter festivals in the world. Held in Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang province of China, this festival will officially run from 24 December 2018 to 28 February 2019. Although, the exhibitors often come before time and stay for a longer time as the weather works very much in their favor.
In its early days, the festival saw only local Chinese competitors. The festival has now got global recognition and sees competitors from all around the world, making it is the world’s biggest winter festival. The festival experiences 10 to 15 million visitors annually to witness the craftsmanship of over 10,000 workers.
In the last decade, the festival grew in international participation with the growing economy of the country and with that, the size of the sculptures go higher. The uniqueness of the Harbin festival lies in the size of the sculptures and the beautiful lighting. The sculptures have a lot going on behind the scenes. Each of the sculpture has computer controlled LED lighting systems which are designed to give the best experience based on the time of day.
The festival has three main venues as follows:

Sun Island

Sun Island. (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

Being the second biggest venue of the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, it houses a zoo for the Siberian tigers, and has become Harbin’s main parkland / recreation area. It is also open for visitors all year round. The Sun Island displays snow sculptures that can be viewed in daylight.

Zhaolin Park

Zhaolin Park. (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

Zhaolin Park is one of the three principle competitions and show scenes of the world’s greatest ice and snow celebration in Harbin. Zhaolin Park is the show territory for the ice lights and one ought to go there when it is dusk.

Ice and Snow World

Ice and Snow World. (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

It is the most popular and breathtaking area of the famous festival. It houses sculptures of massive size like palaces, buildings, great wall of China etc. The gigantic sculptures for display at the Ice and Snow World can reach as high as 46 meters in height. The tens of meter high ice manifestations are extremely beautiful at night time, with all the lighting adding to its extravagant beauty at the Grand World of Ice and Snow territory.

Harbin and its places of interest

Harbin is one of the largest and most populous cities in this northeastern region. It is an important industrial base of the nation as well as a hub of politics, economics and culture. Harbin gets its name from the Manchu word meaning ‘a place for drying fishing nets’. The city first prospered when it was founded in 1898, with the coming of the Chinese Eastern Railway. It grew from a small rural settlement on the Songhua River to a region inhabited by a majority of immigrants from the Russian Empire. In the 1920s, the city was considered China’s fashion capital as new designs would first arrive here from Paris and Moscow before reaching Shanghai.
Harbin has the coldest weather and longest winter among Chinese cities. With a 24-hour average in January of only −17.6 °C, it’s nickname ‘The Ice City’ is well-earned. Over the years, Harbin has been known for its winter tourism and recreations. But don’t miss the chance to visit many of the other fascinating places in Harbin too.

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Saint Sophia Cathedral (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

The Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom of God or Saint Sophia Cathedral is a former Russian Orthodox church. It is located in the central district of Daoli, on the corner of Toulong Street and Zhaolin Street. The main structure is laid out like a cross, and the main hall is topped with a huge green-tipped dome. In bright sunlight, the church and the square area where it stands on, looks quite like Red Square in Moscow. Originally built in 1907, it underwent a nine year renovation and expansion during the 1920s. The present-day St. Sophia Church is the largest Orthodox church in the Far East and is hailed as a monumental work of art. In 1997 the cathedral was turned into Harbin Architectural Art Gallery and showcases the multi-cultural art and architectural developments of Harbin throughout the ages.

Church of the Intercession

Church of the Intercession (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

The Church of the Intercession, is an Eastern Orthodox Church. It was formerly also called the Ukrainian Church. It is currently the only Orthodox Church not only in Harbin but in all of mainland China, open to Chinese nationals for regular worship. In 1922, the Russians built a wooden church building at the site of current church. And in 1930, the China Eastern Railway donated the present stone church building. This church is located in the ‘Church Street, north east of ‘Hongbo Square’ on East Dazhi Avenue. On this ‘Church Street’ one can also visit the Protestant Harbin Nangang Christian Church and the Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral of Harbin.

Yabuli Ski Resort

Yabuli Ski Resort (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

Yabuli Ski Resort is built on Yabuli Sun Mountain, which is a part of the Changbai Mountain Range. It is the largest ski resort in China and consists of the country’s largest ski jumping facilities. It is located in the northernmost province, Heilongjiang, about 180 kilometers southeast of the province’s capital city, Harbin. The temperature hovers near -10 degrees Celsius during the winter, but can dip down to even as low as -45 degrees! An average of 100 centimeters of snow falls annually near the top of the mountain. The snowfall here tends to remain until late spring/early summer.
The ski resort includes two distinctive areas: the competitive section and the leisure skiing section. Yabuli has the honor of hosting some of the biggest winter sporting events like the 1996 Winter Asian Games, the 2008 National Winter Games and the 2009 Winter Universiade. Yabuli Ski Resort serves as the primary training venue for China’s national Alpine, Nordic and Freestyle skiing teams.
Visitors can also take advantage of the other entertainment facilities besides skiing. There’s a mini golf course, tennis court, turf courts, hot-air balloons, para-gliders among others. With the different activities, the beautiful forest and the comfortable facilities, tourists definitely enjoy a relaxing and fun vacation.
This ski resort also houses the Yabuli Panda House, an important project with the aim of protection of the panda species. The inspiration of Yabuli panda house is from the shape of leaves. Visitors enjoy the sight of adorable panda there.

Zhongyang Street

Zhongyang Street (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

Zhongyang Dajie, the Central Street in downtown Harbin, has been the most prosperous commercial hub for over one hundred years. It is a 1400 meters long and 21.34 meters wide pedestrian street where vehicles are not allowed to run along it. Zhongyang Street is one of the largest and longest pedestrian street in Asia. It stretches from Harbin Flood Prevention Cenotaph Square to the north and Xinyang Square to the south. The street / avenue was originally built in 1898 and, is dubbed as ‘a gallery of European architectural art’. The whole street is divided into a couple of different parts featuring a large number of western architecture – including Russian, Baroque, Renaissance and other style buildings.
Zhongyang Pedestrian Street is lined on both sides with hundreds of stores and restaurants. In recent years, with the refurbishing of stores facades, and the decorating with lanterns and all kinds of colored streamers, Zhongyang Street has been attractively transformed. It is the most exotic street in Harbin where you can find varied commodities from the rest of the world.

Long Ta-Dragon Tower

Long Ta-Dragon Tower. (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

The Dragon Tower has the distinction of being the tallest freestanding lattice tower in China and the second tallest in the world, and in Asia. Long Ta is a 336 metre tall multi-purpose Chinese steel lattice television and observation tower. Also known as Dragon Tower, it is used for television broadcasting; telecommunication, transmitting FM-/TV-broadcasting; and for observation. The Tower has buffet restaurants and observation decks providing a view of the surrounding areas of city.
The tower base is formed by the underground floor and the first four floors above ground. The base is made into a spherical crown, which houses the sacred altar commemorating Yanhuang-one of China’s forefather. The tower halls consist of a flying saucer and ball-shaped hall. One can walk on the ‘Exciting Ring’, which is the longest transparent glass walkway in the world with a perimeter of 60 meters. It can make you a bit dizzy as it’s at a height of 181 meters.

Flood Control Monument

Flood Control Monument. (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

The Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower built in 1958, is a landmark in Harbin. It is located in Stalin Park on the south bank of the Songhuajiang River. It commemorates the victory of the fight against the 1957 flood and those who lost their lives in the other years when the River overflowed the banks. It tells the heroic spirit of the Harbin people.
The monument is composed of a 22.5 meter vertical tower body and attached corridors. The tower foundation is built by laying bricks or big stones meaning that the embankment along the river is solid and indestructible. On the front of the tower footing, there is a geyser signifying the terrifying waves. The under-floor represents the altitude of 119.72 meters, symbolizing the highest water level of the floods in 1932. And the upward floor shows the altitude of 120.30 meters, symbolizing the highest water level when the people of Harbin defeated the flood in 1957. Carved on the middle of the tower body are scenes of the army building the embankment, making a vow, carrying the soil, fighting against the flood and celebrating the victory. The Romanesque ambulatory consisting of 20 pillars is 7 meters high.

Grand Theatre Opera House

Grand Theatre Opera House. (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

The Harbin Grand Theatre Opera House is the new highlight in the city of Harbin. With its outstanding architecture, it received “ArchDaily 2016 Building of the Year Award”. It was chosen as cultural building of the year from 3,000 worldwide projects which emerged in 2015 by 55,000 readers of the prestigious ArchDaily. It is the only building in China which was honoured with the architecture prize.
The building seamlessly blends in with nature and the surrounding topography. The exterior is designed with 4 “dancing” silver ribbons and free-curved skylights, appearing as if sculpted by wind and water. An extremely flexible thermal and weather insulation was created to permanently withstand the extreme weather conditions in the region.
The site consists of the Grand Theater’s opera house, a small stage, a box office and ample parking spaces. The opera house serves as a venue for major opera, ballet and dance productions as well as a concert hall. The auditorium with 1,600 seats is built in a horseshoe shape with a classically designed stage that employs state of the art stage equipment and makes use of top international standard lighting and sound systems. Depending on use, a choice can be made there between the various line array and sound systems and product ranges.

Excited to visit China and witness the greatest winter festival of the year? Book now with Travco Holidays to get the best offers on flights and stays. We also provide full coverage of passport and visa services. Visit our website or call us on 9860090341.

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Full moon gazing from the family courtyard.   (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival celebrated by the Chinese for over 3,000 years in the worship of the moon. The festival is also a time to enjoy the successful harvest of rice and wheat. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar with a full moon at night when it is said to be the brightest and roundest. Moon worship and moon gazing are an important part of the festival celebration.

The Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival as it is also called falls on September 24 this year. The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates three fundamental concepts that are closely connected:
Gathering – of family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops for the festival,
Thanksgiving – to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions, and
Praying – asking for conceptual or material satisfaction.

Here’s a look at different aspects of the Mid-Autumn Festival of China which is considered the second most important festival in China after the Chinese New Year.

Celebrations

Mid-Autumn Festivities.   (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

Usually, three generations of Chinese families get together on the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival and eat dinner along with their extended family at the grandparents’ home. After dinner, the family traditionally offer sacrifices to the moon. If the weather is favourable, they then choose to go out into their courtyards or to a park to gaze at the moon. Outdoor reunions are organized among friends and relatives and many cultural or regional customs are celebrated. Public celebration activities include Dragon and Lion dance performances, lantern shows and guessing lantern riddles.

The Mid-Autumn Festivities are held in a big way in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hangzhou and Guangzhou. Some of China’s ethnic minorities have exotic practices and customs of sacrifice and worship to the moon. In the Guangdong Province, for example, traditional games are played among men, women, and children on or around the Mid-Autumn day. These games relate to flights of the soul, spirit possession, or fortune telling.

Delicacies

Chinese Mooncakes.   (Pic Credits: flickr.com)

Chinese Mooncakes are a traditional pastry that are a must-eat Mid-Autumn food. Making and sharing them among friends and family members is one of the hallmark traditions of this festival. The Chinese believe that the roundness of mooncakes are a symbol of reunion and happiness. In some areas, the mooncakes are done during the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and then the senior person in that household would cut the mooncakes into pieces and distribute them to each family member. Mooncakes can be around a few centimetres in diameter, and its surface is pressed with designs of the Moon Goddess Chang’e, cassia trees, or the Moon-Palace.

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Other foods eaten during the festival are harvest foods such as crabs, pumpkins, pomeloes, and grapes. Cassia wine is the traditional choice for the ‘reunion wine’ drunk on this festive occasion.

Offerings

Offerings for the Deities.   (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

Food offerings like apples, pears, peaches, grapes are made to the lunar deity Chang’e by placing them on a special altar set up in the courtyard. Incense is also burned in reverence to the family deities.

A clay statue of the Jade Rabbit (an animal that in Chinese folklore lived on the moon and accompanied Chang’e) is usually one of the first decorations purchased for this celebration table. Soybeans and cockscomb flowers are offered to the Jade Rabbit.

Romance

Chinese dance gathering.   (Pic Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

Chinese traditionally choose the Mid-Autumn festival period as an occasion to find partners and to celebrate marriages. The youth would pray to Goddess Chang’e to help fulfil their romantic wishes.

In some parts of China, dances are organized for the eligible youth to find partners. At these dances, young women are encouraged to throw their handkerchiefs to the crowd, and the young man who catches and returns the handkerchief to the respective lady has a chance at romance.

Along with enjoying the celebrations during the Mid-Autumn Festival, take a chance to visit some of China’s heritage/tourist attractions. Travco Holidays can take away the stress of planning your trip and bookings. Contact us today! We’ll make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

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If you are both a dance and travel lover, then one of the must do things during your travels is to take in the local cultural dances. The traditional dances of a country or region tell us a lot about the musical and cultural heritage of the place. They also reflect the life and ethnic history of the people. These cultural dances, developed by the people and handed down over generations can be religious or ritual, folk, historical or modern. Most cultural dances are performed at dance social gatherings or festivals with the accompaniment of traditional music of the region. Here are some of the well-known cultural dances around the world.

Portuguese Corridinho

(Pic Credit: commons.wikimedia.org)

The Portuguese Corridinho is considered to be a popular form of the dance named Algarve. It is also known to be a peasant dance. It is usually performed by 6 couples wearing colourful more detailed costumes and uses more of the Portuguese colours of green and red in the design. The girls wear long skirts and tie a scarf for their hair and the boys wear a hat.
This cultural dance is known for its exquisite and rhythmic stomping like footwork. It is usually danced to a fast beat of hand-clapping, guitars and accordions and involves singing. The pairs form two circles, girls on the inside and boys on the outside changing direction within the circles.
You also see people enjoying this dance in the past Portuguese empire states like Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a small part of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Macau (China).

Argentine Tango

(Pic Credit: flickr.com)

The tango was born out of the socio-cultural setting of Buenos Aires in the 1880s when the city took in millions of lower class immigrants: workers, artisans, sailors, and textile workers. The tango has been called a “dance of sorrow”, it represents frustrated love and human fatality, although originally the dance was not so deep and serious.
The steps are sexual and aggressive, the music portrays longing and despair. This cultural dance was supposed to be a representation of the interaction between a pimp and a prostitute or featured a duel between two men for a women’s attention. These duels always resulted in the symbolic death of one man, and the triumphant man claiming the woman as his reward.
By the 1940s, the tango reaches its peak of popularity, danced and performed in Buenos Aires cabarets, dance salons, social and sports clubs, and restaurants. In more recent years, the tango has migrated to France, England, and North America and many other parts of the world.

Chinese Fan Dance

(Pic Credit: flickr.com)

The traditional Chinese fan dance is considered to be an ancient form of folk dance. It is has been a part of China’s heritage for over two thousand years. Younger Chinese generations learn classic tales and lore of China’s past through the dance. One can often see fan dancers at festivals, theatre performances, and other exhibition-style events. Fans are used as props, complimenting brightly-coloured costumes for an eye-catching spectacle of movement.
Most Chinese believe that fan dancing also serves as a physical exercise, as well as an exercise in discipline for its participants. The choreography that comes along with fan dancing requires physical fitness and the ability to memorize routines. The Chinese fan dance developed as a way to share stories, preserve the culture and to communicate feelings and emotions without words. This was vitally important to the Chinese, as the dances were created even before written symbols.

See Also: Celebrate the Mid – Autumn Festival of China 

Historically, the fan dance has been portrayed in two forms – civilian and military. Most people who attend a fan dance performance see the civilian form. It is detailed and graceful and resembles a ballet in its pace and form. Fans and other props such as feathered banners are used to increase the beauty of the dancing. In the military-based fan dancing, the military personnel use their weapons simulating the same coordinated group movements, but in a more rigid and authoritative style. It is mostly performed for military exercises and exhibitions.

Plan your trip with Travco Holidays, visit countries around the world and experience their cultural dances. Make your travel dreams come true. Visit or call +91-9860090341 for help with passport and visa assistance.

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