As a traditional project, Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair (aka Harbin Ice Lantern Show or Harbin Ice Lantern Fair) was initiated in 1963 in Zhaolin Park and held every winter since 1985 along with the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. It covers an area of 16 acres and generally uses about 2,000 cubic meter ice every time. Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair displays about 1,500 pieces of traditional ice lanterns with different themes annually. And it has listed as one of the 35 national rare and wonderful scenic spots by the National Tourist Office of China.

Ice-lantern as a traditional art in the northeast of China is enjoyed by people in the Northeast and is used to celebrate festivals, such as Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Now during the period of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival starting holding on January 5, and extending to the end of February, tourists can enjoy the amazing show of ice-lantern and other winter games, such as sailing boat on the freezing river, hitting the ice monkeys, seeing the wedding on the ice, skating and watching the competition of winter swimming.

The Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair is an outstanding achievement of Harbin, where exploits and utilizes the local ice resources from the Songhua River. The craftsmen of the ice-lantern are from all over the world. Every year, they join in a competition in purpose of interchanging their skills. Up to now, it has already created seven Guinness World Records and made great contribution to the well-known tour city.

74, You Yi Lu

Travel Tips

The best time to visit the Ice Lantern Art Fair is after dark, and it is dark at around 16:40 during the winter in Harbin.

Getting There 

Taxi or public bus 101, 102, 103, 16, 8 and 23 to the main entrance of Zhaolin Park

The 50th Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair (Harbin Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Fair 2024) is expected to open on December 31, 2023.