Every winter, Harbin, the snowy capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, transforms into a mesmerizing \"ice city\" that seems straight out of a fairytale. ❄️✨ Travelers from all over the world flock to the Harbin Ice-Snow World to witness this icy wonderland that's unlike anything you've ever seen!
As the sun sets, the park lights up, and the grand ice structures glitter under the night sky, turning the whole place into a magical landscape. It's like stepping into the set of Frozen! 🎆🏰
Behind the Scenes of the World's Largest Ice and Snow Theme Park 🌟
This year marks the 25th consecutive celebration of the festival, and it's been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest ice and snow theme park. Talk about making history! 🥳
But have you ever wondered where all that ice comes from? 🧐 Let's dive into the chilly details!
The Journey of Ice from the Songhua River 🌊🧊
The stunning ice palaces and intricate sculptures are crafted from ice blocks harvested directly from the frozen Songhua River nearby. Thanks to its stable flow and crystal-clear water, the river forms ice that's perfect for building these incredible structures. Each block has a uniform density and a transparency that makes the entire park sparkle!
Every December, when the ice reaches about 0.3 to 0.4 meters thick, a month-long ice harvesting process kicks off. Can you imagine collecting ice in freezing temperatures? 🥶 Each day, around 10,000 cubic meters of ice are cut and transported to the park.
The ice-picking teams start by marking lines on the ice to measure distances. Then, they use motorized ice saws to slice the vast ice sheet into smaller squares, making the surface look like a giant checkerboard! ♟️
Each ice block is massive—about 1.6 meters long, 0.8 meters wide, and weighing around 700 kilograms! 💪 It takes a lot of muscle and precision to get them out of the river and into place.
Experience the Magic Yourself! ✈️
If you're into unique travel experiences, Harbin's Ice-Snow World should definitely be on your bucket list. From breathtaking ice castles to incredible sculptures, it's a winter wonderland that will leave you in awe. So grab your warmest coat, and get ready to explore this icy paradise! ☃️❄️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
