Facing the downtown area across the Songhua River, Sun Island is a 38-square-km sand bar lapped by the waters of the river. In summer, leafy trees and carpet-like lawns can make visitors feel so comfortable they are often reluctant to leave. In winter, the island has become the venue of international ice sculpture competition.
The Ice Lantern Garden Party is the earliest and biggest artistic exhibition of the ice lantern in the open air in the world. The garden was built in 1963, covering a area of 6.5 hectares and used about 2,000 stere ice.It is one of the 35 national's absolutely rare and wonderfully beautiful scenic spots by National Tourist Office.
The ice lantern was inspired by ancient Chinese who created this crafts by accident. Legend has it that several people who lived in the northeastern provinces including Harbin used to fish and groom on Songhen Pain when night came in winter.
They used the ancient ice to make lantern in order to light the pain. Hence the ice lantern was made. After that, it becomes a custom to make ice lantern when spring festival is on the way.
Later on, this custom evolved into a traditional festival named "Harbin Ice Festival" which held on the 5th of January every year.
During the period of the Ice Lantern festival, tourists can take part in the movements, such as: sitting on the ice sailing boat, hitting the ice monkeys, seeing the wedding on the ice, skating on the ice and watching the competition of winter swimming.
The highlight of the festival is that you are expected to attend the evening party when night falls, on which you can see wonderful performances and take part in it. The Ice Lantern is worthy your visiting..