Harbin: Discover the dazzling 1.2 million square meter ice city with cutting-edge AI technology.
This year's Harbin Ice and Snow Festival impressed with its record-breaking scale and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in lighting, creating a magnificent fairytale world.
Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province (Northeast China), has once again affirmed its status as the world's "ice capital" with the opening of a record-breaking 1.2 million square meter ice park. A unique highlight of this year's festival is the fusion of traditional ice sculpting techniques and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, transforming raw ice blocks into a vibrant city of light.
Record-breaking scale and wonder from the Songhua River
To create this colossal ice city, artisans extracted hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of ice from the Songhua River. These ice blocks were meticulously carved to construct towering castles, palaces, and ice towers. The park is meticulously planned with three main landscape axes, each area boasting a unique architectural style, creating an attractive space for sightseeing and photography for millions of visitors.
The power of AI technology in visual experiences.
Beyond mere sightseeing, this year's festival offers a breakthrough with its intelligent lighting system and interactive AI features. This technology allows the lighting to change in real time, creating dazzling and magical effects at night. In particular, visitors can experience an interactive AI space where ice structures seem to respond to human presence, providing a vivid, futuristic feel.
Theme: Fairy Tale World: A fairy tale world in real life
With the theme "Ice and Snow, Fairy Tale World," the park transforms into a magical winter fairy tale world. The ice and snow sculptures are crafted with exceptional detail, ranging from mythical characters to intricate architectural structures. To diversify the experience, the organizers have added a 5,000 m² inflatable dome, providing indoor entertainment regardless of harsh weather conditions outside.
A historical journey from the local lantern festival.
The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival has deep roots in the traditional ice lantern festival of local fishermen in 1963. After many ups and downs and officially revived in 1985, the event has grown significantly from a city-wide scale to one of the four largest ice and snow festivals in the world, attracting millions of international visitors every winter.
Experience the bone-chilling cold and exciting activities.
Visitors to this region must contend with the biting cold of Northeast China. Many report feeling "suffocated" by the cold and constantly needing to use heat patches. However, the overwhelming beauty of the glittering ice castles often outweighs the harsh weather. Besides sightseeing, visitors can try their hand at super-long ice slides, skiing, or participate in daily outdoor light art parades.
Overall, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is not just a simple tourist event, but also a testament to the boundless creativity of humankind in combining natural beauty and modern technology. It's definitely a must-visit destination for those who love exploring unique winter experiences.
