Zhaolin Park & Harbin Ice Lantern Fair
One of the best place to enjoy Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, covering an area of 70,000 square meters, Zhaolin Park lies at the bank of Songhua River, and the northern end of Zhaolin Street in Daoli District, Harbin City. Zhaolin Park has many modern facilities such as fountain, rocks, flower bed, amusement ground, ice skating rink, children’s paradise, golden fish hall and flower and bird garden, having full relaxing and amusing worth. In the east, there is Flower and Fruit Mountain. In the west, there lies Rose Mountain. Xiaonan Islet is located in the south and glass flower cellar is found in the north. A man-made lake flows around in the center of Zhaolin Park with five small bridges cleverly link the water area.
In spring and summer, the pleasant outlook is composed of flourishing greenery. The green plants and colorful flowers make the park the countryside of the city. In winter, Zhaolin Park becomes a silver world with ice and snow. Famous for its ice carving art all over the world, the world-famous Harbin Ice Lantern Fair attracted a large number of visitors from home and abroad in Harbin every year takes place here. It is definitely one of the highlight attractions for the winter tour of Harbin.
Harbin Zhaolin Park Facts
History & Development
Zhaolin Park was first set up in 1906 as a normal scenery park. It went through four stages of development. It was first called the Board Park, then changed into the Special City Park. After the founding of People's Republic of China, it was renamed as Daoli Park( because of its location).
In 1946, the park was renamed to Zhaolin Park by Heilongjiang Provincial government after General Zhaolin Li, a national hero during the Anti-Japanese War, was buried here.
Why It Is So Named
The park is named in honor of General Li Zhaolin, a hero of the War of Resistance Against Japan. A memorial monument and statue of General Li Zhaolin are located within the park
The Main Event - Harbin Ice Lantern Fair
- Day session: 10:00 - 14:00;
- Night session: 14:00 - 21:30 (The lighting display of ice lanterns is at its best during the night session)
The Harbin Ice Lantern Show was held there annually during the past 30 years. It is held from the 5th of January to the end of February every year. This event is popular in the north of China among Han, Man and Hui people, etc...
The park is the birthplace of Chinese ice lantern art. It first held an ice lantern show in 1963, which was confirmed as an ethnic festival.
Now, people will hold a grand celebration in Harbin during every year’s Harbin Ice Festival. During the festival, craftsmen use ice to make lampshade, and lighting them with candles or electric lamps in the middle of the lampshade. In the evening, the whole park is lit with lanterns, and the glittering ice-sculptures turn it into a shining crystal palace. It's a a great fun for both kids and adults on a Harbin Ice Festival tour.
Since 1985, during the Ice Lantern Festival held at Zhaolin Park, visitors can not only participate in the Ice Festival and admire various ice sculptures, but also participate in sports activities at the Songhua River Ice World, such as riding ice sails, playing ice monkey games, ice skating, watching winter swimming competitions and ice weddings, and attending various cultural performances.
>> Other places to enjoy Harbin Ice and Festival: Sun Island Scenic Area | Harbin Ice & Snow World
What to Do?
For the visit to Zhaolin Park, the tourists can not only do sightseeing by boat but also get a panorama on the 42-meter-high cable car. The three distinctive wooden bridges meticulously designed by the renowned Russian engineer Vsevolod Alekseyevich Rasyushin - the Crossing Bridge, the Cloud Boat Bridge and the Crossing Stream Bridge - seamlessly blend Western and classic Chinese garden styles. Other recreational facilities will also bring tourists a lot of fun.
Other than taking pictures at lantern show, participating in carving competition and garden party are recommended as well. You can also join in some local activities, including fantastic fireworks display, winter swimming, ice hockey games, football games on the snow ground, skiing races, speed skating races, ice sculpture competition, poetry jamboree, wedding ceremony and ice & snow cinematic festival.
>> Recommended Harbin Tours:
Visit Zhaolin Park in Summer
Due to the weather in Harbin City, Zhaolin Park presents completely different natural landscapes in winter and summer.
In summer, the scenery here is delightful, with lush green trees, fragrant grass, and blooming white flowers. The unique "Beiyuan", "Yingyuan", "Xiao Nandao", and "Syringa Garden" among other gardens each have their own unique features. The monkeys' joyful cries, the jumping of the carp, and the spreading of the peacocks' tails also bring you endless enjoyment.
How to get to Zhaolin Park?
Besides taxi, taking a bus is also a nice choice to get there because Zhaolin Park is not far away from the down town. Take Bus 8, 23, 29, 52, 53, 83, 114, 132, 136, 201 or 206, then get off at Zhaolin Park ( Zhaolin Gong Yuan) Station, and walking around 74 meters you can reach the park.
If you are strolling in the Central Street (Zhongyang Pedestrain Sreet), walking to Zhaolin Park is suggested. It’s around 700-meters’ walking, you can also enjoy the city scene on the way.
Practical Travel Tips for Harbin Zhaolin Park
- What to Wear: Harbin's winters are bitterly cold. Be sure to wear a down jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm, slip-resistant snow boots.
- Safety Precautions: Ice surfaces are slippery. Exercise caution when walking and taking photos.
- Do not touch ice sculptures to prevent frostbite or damage to the artwork.
- Nearby Dining: Near the park's east gate, renowned Northeast Chinese restaurants like Laochujia offer authentic Harbin food, such as pot-stir-fried pork.
- Nearby attractions: Zhaolin Park is conveniently located near famous sights like Harbin Central Street (just a few hundred meters away) and St. Sophia Cathedral. You are suggested to combine them together in a Harbin day tour.
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