A yearly celebration of everything magnificent and frosty, this past Sunday Harbin, China unveiled their massive installation for the 2014 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. The crown jewel of this yearly festival, which also includes snow sculptures and games, this large-scale micro-city was chiseled entirely from ice, and lit by hundreds of colorful LED lights. Including replicas of some of the world's most renowned architectural landmarks like the Empire State Building and Rome's Colosseum, this 500,000 sq. meter park contains sculpted creatures (both real and mythical), a 240-meter-long ice slide, an Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park, skating rinks, and ice mazes. Launched in 1963 as a yearly event, the Ice Festival was forced to take a hiatus during China's infamous Cultural Revolution, only to come back in full force in 1985.Just to give you a taste of the range of activities that can happen at the festival (in addition to gawking), in the past the space has also been home to "ice sailing", trade talks, and even wedding ceremonies on ice.Check out some of the amazing photos below:
Just a few of the fantasy snow sculptures revealed yesterday…
Even before the lights were added the city was still a fascinating medling of nature and technology.If you happen to be cruising by Harbin this season be sure to stop by (read here for tourist information)--and drop us a line with your reviews.via DesignBoom
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