International Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China Jan 5, 2024

Harbin, in Heilongjiang, the northernmost province of China, welcomes an icy twist in January by opening its doors to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. This festival traces its origins to a humble garden party that featured ice lanterns in 1963 and has since evolved into an event where sculptors from around the world came together to create sculptures from the frozen waters of the Songhua River. This wonderland has towering castles, lanterns and intricate sculptures, all made of ice. In 2007, "Romantic Feelings," the world"s largest snow sculpture at 35 metres in height, was created here in the shape of an Olympic-themed artwork. During the evenings, multicoloured lights illuminate the translucent sculptures, adding another layer of charm. While exploring Harbin, you can try alpine skiing, and if you"re feeling brave, winter swimming in the Songhua River.

© WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

City of ice
Jan 5, 2025Pushkarni, Sri Krishna Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
Jan 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 6, 2024Molokini crater, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Oct 4, 2023World Space Week
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
Oct 20, 2025Hoffmanns two-toed sloth, Ecuador
Jan 15, 2024Makar Sankranti
Aug 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
Oct 8, 2023World Octopus Day
Apr 9, 2026Sgwd yr Eira waterfall, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Oct 15, 2024Great wildebeest migration at Mara River, Kenya
Mar 27, 2025World Theatre Day
Aug 13, 2024Telašćica Nature Park, Dugi Otok, Croatia
Jul 5, 2024Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Jun 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
Nov 16, 2025A traboule in Lyon, France
Nov 21, 2025Small island near Ezhikkara, Kerala
Feb 9, 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Solo on the savannah
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Oct 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Dec 3, 2025Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Jan 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Paint the sky with colours
Dec 12, 2023Red poinsettia
Jun 15, 2025Happy Fathers Day!
An island park for everyone
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
Feb 26, 2025Maha Shivaratri
Back to the future
Purple bliss as far as the eye can see