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Published: April 19th 2018
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Departing Mongolia and heading for China was the next leg of the journey, and a whole host of ice-coated treats were just around the corner. Yabuli ski resort is China's largest ski terrain, so a certain amount of effort has been made to ensure that the right kinds of elements are in place. In terms of accommodation, there are a variety of options in the local area, but seemingly, the sizeable Club Med property appears to be the only resort hotel within immediate reach of the foot of the main ski slopes. Excursions exist on the kind of scale and theme which only a ski trip to China could hint at, and the world's longest toboggan run, an adventure in itself, is actually woven into the slopes and clearly visible from the chairlift which ferries a skier to the top of the mountain. The nearby Panda Park, a zoo with a clearly highlighted theme involved, is an easy half day visit, and if it is relaxation which you crave, then look no further than the indoor forested hot spring resort, the very final word in spa bathing, and a truly comprehensive selection of bathing pools of varying temperatures and themes. Yabuli
town's main station is most likely to be your point of entry if you are arriving by train, but if you do happen to pass by Yabuli South's station, the distinct architecture and style of the building will no doubt catch more than just your casual roving eye. Moving on from Yabuli ski resort, the city of
Harbin ranks 15th in China in terms of population count, but is such a huge city that you'd first need to grasp the vastness of China to be able to get to grips with it all. Harbin is a city where Russia blends almost effortlessly with China, and if ever you needed evidence of this, then a stroll down Zhongyang street will reveal shops and restaurants on an entirely Russian theme, as much as the city's landmark church St Sophia cathedral is a Russian orthodox church which would not be out of place in any Russian city. If it is strictly Chinese culture which you seek out though, then for a sublime slice of traditional Chinese culture, be sure to check out Jile temple, and all of its impressive grounds, with features a-plenty such as a buddha statue, a pagoda, and various separate
buildings of a religious nature. The flood control monument is another city landmark which acts also as the gateway to the river separating the city from Sun island, reachable by ferry, bridge or cable car, and the city's metro network has got other bases covered when it comes to getting from A to B. Shopping options in Harbin abound, and a fair amount of the retail floor space is underground, a factor which adeptly combats the bitter chill of a Harbin winter. For anyone remotely in the know though, winter is prime time to be visiting Harbin, primarily for the purpose of attending the annual Ice and snow festival, held during each January and most of February at a couple of key locations within the city. The largest area of activity for this festival is on Sun island, and this is precisely where the full splendour of this majestic event comes into its own, proving that the Chinese are world-leaders when it comes to putting on a spectacle unlike no other which has preceded it. This year marked the 19th anniversary of the Snow and Ice festival, and whatever designs might have graced the previous 18 festivals could only have
been complimented by this year's array of sculptures, friezes, buildings, attractions and landscapes, all expertly carved out of snow and ice, and illuminated by a vastly impressive system of coloured lighting, in some cases neon-esque and producing the kind of lava lamp lighting effects on a huge scale. If all of this sounds incomplete, then factor in the existence of horse-drawn sleigh and husky dog sleigh rides, eateries dotted here and there, and snow-related activities a-plenty, all of which add up to a simply glorious icy whole, and a chance to feel a winter's tale spring to life and activate every last dream and desire which you might associate with a winter wonderland. Leaving Harbin after seeing the collection of smaller-scale, but equally impressive, ice sulptures and constructions in the city's Zhaolin Park made me realize that creativity in its most elemental form produces episodes so memorably joyful that such distant treks to such far-flung nations can so very easily redeem and validate themselves several times over, when it comes to the costs and time out incurred to experience them.
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