Harbin Urban Ice and Snow Landscapes and the 44th Ice Lantern Art Fair (English Translation)

People’s Daily Online, Harbin, December 5 (Reporter Yang Haiquan) The overall plan for this winter’s urban ice and snow landscapes and the 44th Ice Lantern Art Fair in Harbin has recently been released. Under the theme 'Carry Forward Ice Lantern Art · Prosper Ice and Snow Culture' and in line with the principles of 'core demonstration, scientific planning, key construction, and refined management and control', the plan draws on Harbin’s profound ice and snow cultural heritage and historical legacy as the birthplace of ice lanterns. The landscape design is integrated with regional characteristics, urban style, surrounding buildings, and lighting effects in a coordinated manner.

In light of this year’s actual urban construction and management conditions in Harbin, scientific adjustments have been made to the layout of urban ice and snow landscapes this winter. The number of constructions has been reduced, and the total volume of ice used has been strictly controlled. Ice volume and the number of ice and snow installations have been decreased to avoid occupying roads, interfering with subway construction, and causing traffic congestion. Installations are placed away from sidewalks, construction zones that affect travel, and densely populated squares. Centered on Zhaolin Park — the cradle of ice lanterns — and focusing on key urban nodes, central squares, and major entry-exit points of the city, the plan includes a total of 25 ice and snow landscapes, consisting of 21 at squares and key nodes and 4 at the airport and city entry-exit points. The total planned volume of ice and snow is 50,000 cubic meters, with construction to be completed by December 25. Compared with previous years, the total ice volume and number of construction sites have been reduced by 45%.

Urban Ice and Snow Landscape Planning and Construction

1. 21 Ice and Snow Landscapes at Key Nodes and Squares

Daoli District (7 sites): Harbin Railway Station North Square 'Advance into a New Era'; Intersection of Senlin Street and Zhaolin Street 'Oriental Paris'; Intersection of Youyi Road and Jingwei Street 'European Elegance'; Intersection of Shangzhi Street and West 3rd Street 'City Lights'; East side of Youyi West Road–Shangjiang Street Intersection 'City Sentiment'; Youyi West Road–Jingjiang East Road Intersection 'Welcome the Winter Olympics'; Youyi West Road–Lijiang Road 'City Rhythm'.

Nangang District (6 sites): Jihong Bridge Triangle Area 'Classic Revived'; Museum Roundabout 'City Symbol'; Lifanwu Garden 'Harmony'; Harbin West Railway Station 'Chinese Stories'; Harbin West Wanda Plaza 'Joyful Celebration in a Prosperous Age'; Harbin West Red Star Macalline 'Pure as Ice and Jade'.

Xiangfang District (5 sites): Lesong Square–Yuanlin Street 'Chinese Affection'; Xiangfang Wanda Plaza 'Lilac Castle'; Sanhe Road Square: 'City of Music' and 'City of Ice and Snow'; Zhongshan Road–Liushun Street Square 'Promise of Ice'; Heping Road 'Green Tiles and Red Eaves'.

Songbei District (3 sites): Songbei Avenue–Shangri-La Hotel 'Sound of Music'; Shimao Avenue–Hongyuan Street Intersection 'Swan Dance'; Shimao Avenue Wanda Mao Square 'Happy Castle'.

2. 4 Ice and Snow Landscapes at the Airport and City Entry-Exit Points

'Zero-Kilometer' Roundabout at the Airport: 'Impression of Harbin' and 'Harbin Welcomes You'; Harbin Taiping International Airport: 'Step into Harbin', 'Vision', and 'Hometown'; Hatong Expressway Entrance: 'Ice City Welcomes You'; Ha’a Expressway Exit: 'Welcome Gate'.

Planning for the 44th Ice Lantern Art Fair

Adhering to the theme 'Carry Forward Ice Lantern Art · Prosper Ice and Snow Culture' and building on Harbin’s profound cultural heritage as the birthplace of ice lanterns, the fair will feature five functional zones: Ice and Snow Culture Inheritance Zone, Ice Lantern Art Viewing Zone, Premium Ice Sculpture Exhibition Zone, Themed Public Welfare Activity Zone, and Recreational Interactive Experience Zone. The planned ice and snow volume is 20,000 cubic meters. Ice harvesting and production will begin in early December, and the fair is scheduled to open to the public in mid-to-late December.

Translation Notes

1. Official Institutions and Titles: People’s Daily Online is translated in accordance with international media practices; reporter’s signature is handled following foreign media conventions.

2. Ice and Snow-specific Terms: Ice Lantern Art Fair; Zhaolin Park (cradle of ice lanterns); volume of ice (used).

3. Standardized Place Names: Harbin Railway Station, Harbin West Railway Station, Jihong Bridge, and district names adopt commonly used English translations in China.

4. Landscape Theme Names: Free translation is adopted to retain artistic conception, ensuring readability for international communication while preserving cultural connotation, with unified capitalization of the first letter.

5. Data and Time: Percentages, cubic meters, and dates correspond strictly to the original text without additions or deletions.