Crystal-clear ice sculptures, spectacular snow carvings, dazzling lanterns, and thrilling amusement experiences are about to welcome visitors. According to information from the Beijing Enterprises Group Company Limited, the 38th Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern and Snow Carnival, under the group's management, is set to open on January 15th. The featured exquisite ice sculptures in this year's carnival are three times that in previous years, and for the first time, the event will introduce the Glacier Canyon Park and a drone flying performance.
The Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern and Snow Carnival, renowned in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, has successfully held 37 editions since its inception in 1987, becoming a traditional winter tourism event in the capital city, Beijing. In 2024, the Chinese traditional Year of the Dragon, Longqing Gorge will celebrate under the theme of "Dragon Celebration". The enchanting winter wonderland, featuring exquisite ice sculptures, snow art, and the cultural essence they embody, aims to attract both new and returning visitors.
Blue ice, frost, ice cracks, icicles, and bubble ice—the winter ice formations in Longqing Gorge are spectacular, creating a dreamlike experience that allows people to feel the purity of the world in the midst of ice and snow. Among them, the most magnificent ice sculpture is a result of nature's extraordinary craftsmanship — a massive ice waterfall cascading down a 70-meter-high reservoir dam. Adorned with ice flowers and pillars, it forms a sparkling and translucent ice waterfall spectacle, rightfully earning its status as a popular destination for social media check-ins.
It is understood that this year's Ice Lantern and Snow Carnival will showcase a total of 200 ice sculptures, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the exquisite beauty of ice sculpture art. Traditional ice sculptures will incorporate polar, marine, and other thematic elements, presenting a magnificent underwater world and reflecting the legends of the Dragon King and Longqing Gorge. Various second-dimensional ice sculptures will also make an appearance, with game characters and scenes blending with the landscapes of Longqing Gorge. The dazzling combination of high-tech and well-designed colorful lights will create a dreamlike fairy tale world.
This year, there are over 100 snow sculptures. For visitors, the must-see is the 100-meter snow sculpture titled "Dragon King Bringing Rain". According to the introduction, praying for rain and a prosperous year is one of the connotations of China’s primitive water-worship culture. The 100-meter snow sculpture depicts the entire process of the Dragon King bringing rain, aiming to express wishes for a smooth and abundant year in the Year of the Dragon. The dragon’s head is high and upright, with a gaze that is deep and piercing. The dragon’s body is robust and powerful, claws stretching vigorously, the tail moving gracefully, and the giant dragon soaring into the sky, symbolizing China’s takeoff.
With 50 sets of lanterns, 2000 tree lights, and tens of thousands of lights outlining and decorating the mountain Great Wall and lofts, Longqing Gorge will be adorned in a dreamlike and splendid manner.
In this Ice Lantern and Snow Carnival, Longqing Gorge will also introduce the all-new Glacier Canyon Park, allowing visitors in the suburbs of Beijing to experience the wildness of Lake Baikal. Here, there are fun activities such as banana boats, ice dragon sleds, ice snow circles, small trains on ice, and ice river wild UTVs (all-terrain vehicles). Led by professional drivers in the scenic area, visitors can experience ice drifting and high-speed leaps, providing both thrilling and exciting moments.
The scenic area has also set up multiple photo spots using landscape ornaments, featuring cosplay parades of East Sea Dragon King, God of Wealth, and second-dimensional characters to complement visitors’ photo opportunities. The cultural square will showcase splendid intangible cultural heritage performances and variety shows. In addition, the scenic area will launch a drone light show featuring 1000 drones forming the shape of a "flying dragon in the sky", creating an illusion for visitors as if they are in a vast starry sky.
Translator: TANG Yuxin
Reviewer: BAI Jing
