Harbin is located in Northeast China under the direct influence of the cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in summer is 21.2 degrees Celsius, -16.8 degrees Celsius in winter. Annual low temperatures below -35C are not uncommon.
There are ice lantern park touring activities held in many parks in the city. Winter activities in the festival include Yabuli alpine skiing, winter-swimming in the Songhua River, and the ice-lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden.
While there are ice sculptures throughout the city, there are two main exhibition areas: Enormous snow sculptures at Sun Island (a recreational area on the opposite side of the Songhua River from the city) and the separate "Ice and Snow World" that operates each night. Ice and Snow World features illuminated full size buildings made from blocks of 2–3 feet thick crystal clear ice directly taken from the Songhua River.
The Harbin festival is one of the world's four largest ice and snow festivals, along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival.
Hailar is the largest city in the Hulum Buir Prefecture and located in northern Inner Mongolia.
The city and surrounding country becomes very cold in winter,easily reaching -30 F. Even in October, the temperature can seem very cold. The region at this time is drab and uncolorful, as the grasslands turn greenish brown or are covered with snow.
The best and most famous grasslands are here. As far as the eye can see an ocean of grasslands. Flkat with minor variations. But I think the grasslands out of UlanHot are more pretty. Not as flatr. More mountains and streams. More broken up.
If you are here to see the grasslands or visit ManZhouLi your best bet is to come between July and September, when the grasses are usually green. It is still worthwhile bringing a good jacket though, since even in the hottest days of summer, night temperatures drop quickly.The city had been a center of action for wandering Mongolian herdsmen. Plants used to line both the sides of Hailar River. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the city is the ethnic diversity. There are 25 different resident minority groups in Hailar, including Mongol, Hui and less common ones such as the Manchurians, Koreans, Ewinki, Elunchun, and Dauer peoples. They dress line anybody in Hailair. Try the Dauer grass soup. It has an important history in famine.
The outskirts have the Hulun Lake and the border town of ManZhouLi crowded with Russians carrying shopping bags filled with cheap Chinese goods. To the north of Hailar lies the best part of Inner Mongolia, easily reached by bus and taxi.
