Enjoy Incredible Ice Art in China this January
- Bales offers a unique experience to the Harbin Ice Festival -
Intricate ice carvings and stunning snow sculptures are the order of the day at the unique Harbin Ice Fesival that takes place every January in China. For those after a winter break with a difference, Bales Worldwide has developed a nine day itinerary, taking in this incredible extravaganza. Prices start from £1,525 per person, including flights.
Harbin, in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, holds its annual celebration of ice art throughout January each year and the event attracts thousands of sculptors from across the world. The arctic climate provides abundant natural ice and snow for the artists to work with. Each year the city is transformed into a glorious ice world, with sculptures and artwork on display in Sun Island Park, Harbin Ice and Snow World and Zhaolin Park. A highlight of the festival is the wonderful ‘ice lanterns’ – incredible ice creations imbedded with thousands of tiny coloured lights. The idea for these is derived from the traditional ice lanterns that would have been made and used by peasants in this area in the past.
Come along to the festival and wonder at the beautiful ice carvings, often based on traditional Chinese fairy tales, visit the fascinating snow and ice sculpture museum, and gaze in awe at the huge architectural snow sculptures – this really is a magical winter experience.
Bales’ itinerary includes 4 days in Harbin, giving you plenty of time to take in the festival. Whilst in the city you will also enjoy a visit to see the Manchurian Tigers, which are close to extinction in the wild, a chance to witness the spectacle of hardy local swimmers taking a daily dip in the frozen River Songhua, and a guided tour of St. Sophia Church, the smugglers market and the underground shopping streets – formerly nuclear air raid tunnels!
As well as 4 days in Harbin, the itinerary also includes three nights in Beijing, with the chance to take a pedicab through the Hutongs of Old Peking, as well as enjoy a tour of the incomparable Forbidden City – the vast complex of palaces, pavilions and courtyards that lies at the heart of the capital. Day 4 of the itinerary is a full day excursion to see one of the less commercial stretches of the Great Wall of China.
Departures are available throughout January 2009 from London Heathrow and cost from £1,525 per person for the nine day holiday, based on two sharing. This includes all flights, accommodation in first class hotels, breakfasts, sightseeing entrance fees, transportation and an experienced local guide.
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Bales Worldwide (formerly known as Bales Tours) is a family run independent tour operator established by George Bales in 1947. Bales have become more and more flexible over time, in order to truly meet your needs. Wherever you decide to travel and whenever you want to travel, whether it is in 14 months time or just 3 weeks away, Bales have 60 years of knowledge and expertise to give you a holiday of a lifetime. 