illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
all images courtesy of the harbin ice and snow festival

 

 

 

with its official opening ceremony kicking off on january 5th, designboom has received advance images of the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival in northern china, an immersive wonderland filled with mammoth snow sculptures, wintertime games, and a towering, luminous city made from chiseled ice. replicas of some of the world’s most renowned architectural landmarks — from the empire state building to rome’s colosseum — are carved from frozen matter and lit by colorful LEDs, creating a glimmering skyline by night. visitors to the dreamlike, winter theme park can roam the 500,000 sq. meter space, packed with an impressive display of sculpted snow animals, people and mythical creatures. a 240-meter-long ice slide, skating rinks, and mazes feature within the frosted cityscape, inviting guests to the extravagant festival atmosphere.

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
the illuminated cityscape at the upcoming ice festival

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
renowned architectural landscapes carved from ice

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
visitors to the festival are immersed in an extravagant display of luminous ice sculptures

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
snow and ice landmarks at the festival

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
colorful trains and towering castles feature throughout the giant space

 

 

below are some images from last year’s festival, featuring the work of snow and ice carvers who displayed their creations in the massive space.

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
visitors roam around the colorfully lit LED space

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
the frosted skyline

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
vibrant green lights illuminate the ice building’s facade

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
craftsmen working on a towering snow sculpture

 

 

 illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
a landscape filled with people and buildings made from snow

 

 

illuminated glacier city at the 2014 harbin ice and snow festival
the ice festival by day glitters blue frost