International Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Sun Island

International Snow Sculpture Art Expo on Sun Island

The Sun Island Snow Expo is the birthplace and leading event of snow sculpture art in China, an important component of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, and the biggest highlight of Harbin’s ice and snow tourism. With its long exhibition period (60–70 days), high quality, innovative content, large scale, and strong entertainment value, it is known as “the world’s largest ice and snow carnival.” Since the first Sun Island Snow Expo, it has welcomed a total of 4.9 million visitors. The 18th Sun Island Snow Expo this year will be held on December 20, 2005, within the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin. This edition marks the first snow art event following three years of comprehensive renovation and transformation at Sun Island. After three years of upgrading, the Sun Island Scenic Area has regained its former countryside charm and European flair, providing the 18th Snow Expo with unique natural surroundings and ideal conditions. Themed “Peace, Friendship, and Development,” the expo aims to create high-quality snow sculptures, develop ice and snow tourism, and enrich ice and snow culture, striving to showcase its distinctiveness in multiple aspects. Guided by the principles of “market-oriented operation, professional management, and tasteful presentation,” the event fully explores and displays the artistry, uniqueness, interactivity, cultural richness, approachability, educational value, and entertainment of snow-themed activities, endeavoring to create a grand, marvelous, beautiful, and refined ice and snow garden landscape.

The international planning and design of this year’s Snow Expo is mainly reflected in three aspects: First, collaboration with Asahikawa City, Japan—one of the world’s leading snow nations—to jointly build the “Scenes of Japan” area (Japanese-themed garden). The Asahikawa Snow Festival is one of the world’s most famous ice and snow festivals, having been successfully held for 53 editions. The Asahikawa Snow Festival Organizing Committee, as one of the co-organizers of this year’s Sun Island Snow Expo, has sent specialists to plan and design this area. Second, a “Russian-style area” (Russia-themed garden) has been planned at the central location of the expo site. Third, landmarks representing the 13 countries that have established sister-city relationships with Harbin have been designed.

The exhibition area of this year’s Snow Expo is located in the core scenic zone of the Sun Island Scenic Area, covering a total area of about 40 hectares, with approximately 100,000 cubic meters of snow and about 10,000 cubic meters of ice used. The design is divided into seven themed zones: Zone 1: Auspicious Snow Welcomes Guests

This is the introductory area of the Snow Expo, featuring main attractions such as the welcome snow gate, flags of sister cities, and the Eight-Tone Ladies, creating an international atmosphere for the event. Zone 2: The Vast Chinese Nation

The landscapes in this area are designed around the profound history and culture of the Chinese nation. Major features include the Ice Qilin, Flying Apsaras, Shengjing Dance Steps, Snow Lion Sculptures, Canopy, Ice Altar, Jade Pool, and Imperial Path. Zone 3: The Charm of the Black Soil

This zone primarily showcases the distinctive folk culture of northern China. Key attractions include the Folk Culture Gate, the Eight Oddities of the Northeast, the Eight Generals of the Northeast, and the Ice Restaurant. Notably, the world’s largest ice restaurant is built using the Post Hotel building on the island, with tables, chairs, tableware, and other items all made of ice. Visitors can dine here while experiencing life in sub-zero temperatures similar to that of the Eskimos. This project will apply for a Guinness World Record. Zone 4: Russian-style Area

Designed in conjunction with the 2006 China-Russia Year, this area features structures such as the Kremlin, Ice Postal Station, cannons, a large bell, and various Russian-style mini snow sculptures. Zone 5: Glimpses of Japan

This area was jointly developed with Asahikawa City, Japan. All snow sculptures here were designed by professional designers from the Asahikawa Snow Festival, showcasing the best snow artworks from past editions of the festival. Zone 6: Joyful Songs on the Snowfield

Serving as the entertainment zone of the Snow Expo, it offers over 10 amusement activities including snow slides, mini snow trains, four-wheeled snow motorcycles, snowmobiles, remote-controlled tanks, dog sledding, snow mazes, spinning ice tops, and sled-pulling. The National Snow Sculpture Competition is also held in this area. Zone 7: Happy Journey Home

This zone mainly hosts the International Snow Sculpture Competition and the Heilongjiang Provincial Snow Sculpture Competition areas, along with four playful and dynamic group sculptures of lucky dogs. The area also includes the venue for the Snow Expo’s joyful Snow Splashing Festival and small commercial service outlets.

This scenic area was jointly developed in collaboration with Asahikawa City, Japan. All the snow sculptures within the area were designed by professional designers from the Asahikawa Snow Festival. It mainly showcases the finest snow sculptures from past editions of the Asahikawa Snow Festival.

Zone 6: Joy in the Snow

Serving as the entertainment zone of the Snow Expo, it features over 10 amusement activities including snow slides, a snow train, four-wheeled snow motorcycles, snowmobiles, remote-controlled tanks, dog sledding, snow mazes, spinning tops, and sled rides. Additionally, the National Snow Sculpture Competition is also held in this area.

Zone 7: Joyful Journey Home

This area mainly hosts the international snow sculpture competition and the Heilongjiang Provincial Snow Sculpture Competition. It also includes four lively and adorable dog-themed sculpture groups. Within the zone, there is also a venue for the Snow Expo’s joyful snow-splashing festival and several small commercial service outlets.