Next we went to the snow festival. Massive snow sculptures in a park setting. An annual competition with the awards a sculpture earned and where the team came from that worked on the carving. Entries from all the world. We drove in a little train to the end and then walked back. In the summer this must be a beautiful park. We saw children in the frozen river on sleds and all types of fun things for kids on the ice. The snow sculptures were truly amazing, ken will post a few pictures.

Then we went to the main attraction the ICE Festival. This cannot be explained. This is again a big park in the summer turned into a winter wonderland for the ice festival. Absolutely massive covering a large area with stunning beautiful creations built from ice blocks. As it gets dark they are all lit up in bright and pastel colors that creates an incredible atmosphere. Throughout the park are the ice sculptures from countries all around the world. Stunning examples of the artists imagination and creativity. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of how large and beautiful this ice exhibition really is and every year it is totally different. Ken will try to post pictures that will show what we experienced.

At both festivals the children were having a wonderful time. There are ice slides, and on the frozen lakes every way imaginable to play. Even bicycles on skis! There were very few people at the tiger park and snow festival as we were at the very end of the two months that these attractions are open. More people at the nighttime Ice festival but still not crowded.

Harbin surprised us as we expected a dismal Chinese city with old buildings and no reason to go there except for the ice festival. Instead we found a city full of unique buildings, open areas with sculptures and an obvious effort to make the city appealing and attractive. The lakefront area is wide and delightful with attractive small restaurants and shops and large trees. Central street is full of so many types of architecture fun to wander this area.

The last thing we visited was a Russian town that has been Reconstructured and is full of very large and ornate buildings. Each building is unique and in a classic Russian style. Some are people's homes and they spend the summer here. It had just snowed and it was like a scene he out of the movies about wealthy Russia at its peak. Again a frozen lake and a big area. Ken will post some pictures.

We were absolutely exhausted after these two days of touring. Should have worn my fit bit cannnot imagine how much I walked but my feet are talking to me right now.

In Shanghai after shopping the afternoon away and eating at our favorite Shanghai restaurant, Goodfellas Italian - yummy!
One more day to shop and we fly home on Saturday.