Harbin's winter wonderland takes shape with record use of ice and snow

"This winter, we have carefully incorporated suggestions from visitors and netizens, integrating elements of the Great Wall, such as its walls and watchtowers, into the design of the super ice slide," said Cong Peiyu, director of the company's design and research department. "The ice-built Great Wall, a key part of the super ice slide, is grand and visually striking, and will become a new landmark for visitors to photograph and interact with."

In the coming days, about 10,000 construction workers will take on the park's most artistic ice and snow challenge, combining ice, snow, sound and lights.

This winter, the park will expand its area from 1 million square meters to 1.2 million sq m, using more than 400,000 cu m of ice and snow — both record highs.

"To enrich the visitor experience and enhance service quality, the park will introduce new facilities such as a ticketing hall, a snowfield hot spring camp, and new activities including winter fishing, cross-country skiing and snow soccer," Cong said. "An ice and snow stage will be built to complement the Dream Stage, enhancing park performances."

The classic Dream Stage will continue to focus on interactive celebrations, creating an energetic disco-style atmosphere for thousands of visitors.

The newly planned stage will incorporate high-level international performance elements, offering a distinct audiovisual experience.

A grand ice- and snow-themed parade will take place between the two stages, creating a dynamic performance landscape throughout the park.

Meanwhile, park services will be upgraded to offer a more convenient and efficient smart-tourism experience.

More seating areas, restrooms and other public facilities will be added to improve visitor satisfaction.

Despite the upgrades in scale, activities and services, the standard adult ticket price will remain 328 yuan ($46.28), ensuring visitors get to enjoy a richer and higher-quality ice and snow experience at the same price.

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn