#110 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China ( HARBIN, Part 1: Ice & Snow Extravaganza, and St. Sofia Cathedral )

Asia » China » Heilongjiang » Harbin
January 8th 2009

Published: January 8th 2009

The crowded and long train left my home, cold Taizhou, Jiangsu, at 6:02pm and 24 hours later arrived in what is known as the "coldest" city of China, bone-chilling HARBIN, the capital of China's most northern province of Hailongjiang. The province of Hailongjiang has its borders with arctic Russian-Siberia, and HARBIN looks more like an Eastern-European or Russian city than a Chinese city. What... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #15

Mother embraces the baby.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #16

It seemed to have not snowed too much so far this year, and trucks scavage for any available snow across the park and transport it to where it was needed. Snow-blowers were also in use to make additional amounts of snow.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #17

The highlight of Sun Park is its "centerpiece-snow-sculpture", a massive work of art. Here, you can understand its size as I approach from the distance. **If you place the "next 3 photos" next to each other, you will see the magnitude of this magnificent snow-sculpture.** (enlarge them for greater details)

Photo Composite "A"

Left-side view!

Photo Composite "B"

Center view!

Photo Composite "C"

Right-side view!

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #18

Small snow cottages are fashioned for tired and cold visitors. It is possible to enter them, sit among the frozen visitors, have some tea, coffee, hot-chocolate, or a few shots of Russian Vodka to warm a frost-bitten body.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #19

This ice-pub was open for business. A short rest, and a serious shot of Russian Vodka did the trick and warmed my body for the next hour.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #20

Another view to the Snow Carving Centerpiece, 2009, from the balcony of the WC, on a gloriously sunny but deep-freeze day on Sun Island, Harbin.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #21

Rudolph and friend are waiting for Santa Claus. He is probably in the neighboring "Ice-house-bar", endulging in some Russian Vodka.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #22

Santa is resting behind the mountains of snow, probably from his Vodka hang-over.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #23

Returning to the city of Harbin from Sun Island, more snow sculptures capture the imagination.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #24

In red, you can read the Chinese characters for "Merry Christmas".

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #25

One more beautiful snow sculpture of Santa Claus among hundreds in the Sun Park made this a special morning for me. I will never forget these pleasing carving. Each shows the love and care of its creator.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #26

Rather few visitors were willing to brave the arctic cold of the day, making my return to the city along the streets of Sun Island more enjoyable.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #27

One last visit to the local Sun Island WC.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #28

The piano, shadowed by one of the old Russian summer homes, remind of the musical history foreigners brought to Harbin.

Snow Carving Gala on Sun Island, Harbin, Photo #29

After my exciting visit to the snow carvings on Sun Island, the cable car is waiting to take me back to the city center of Harbin. You can see the city across the frozen Songhua River.

An evening visit to "The Harbin Disney Ice Festival, 2009".

During the evening, I visited the Harbin Disney Ice Festival, 2009. The smaller Zhaolin Park in the center of the old city hosts this colorful ice festival for the families and their children.

Harbin Disney Ice Festival, 2009, Photo #1

The entrance to the Harbin Disney Ice Festival, 2009 has well-known Disney Characters waiting for the visiting children.

Harbin Disney Ice Festival, 2009, Photo #2

Colorful ice carvings, reminiscent of the Disney Worlds in other countries , lead the visitor into the Zhaolin Park.

8th January 2009

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Hi from Oz!
Hi Hans I am so pleased that you decided to travel to Haerbin for the Snow and Ice Festival as I did in 2008! I still can't believe you went without a hat! Aaaargh! Had a wonderful call from Stef the other day. Seems like she is in limbo a bit. Are you travelling home to the States this winter? Job-hunting is in full swing here- I'll let you know how I go. Miss you! Suexx Sue

8th January 2009

Ella
non-member comment

I think it's beautiful!! Thanks for sharing~

8th January 2009

Sandra Cordoba
non-member comment

Oh wow! I did not know that existed in China lol

9th January 2009

Sam Xu
non-member comment

Hello Hans
You travelled a lot , hans, you are good!!! I think you can not remember me . you old freind.

9th January 2009

June
non-member comment

The sculptures are really overwhelming and sensational! It's been a local tradition over, God knows, how many years. Thank you, Hans, for having brought us so many detailed photos to look at. I could never have imagined the size, the scale and the beauty of the famous ice show, unless witnessed these colossal products, even only through their photos. Harbin is a place much colder than Berlin averagely in winter, despite the lower latitude, though both cities have a continental climate. The amount of labour and cost of creating such fantastic artistries must be huge, but, it worth the effort.

10th January 2009

anonymous
non-member comment

hi
are you cold there? take care of yourself.

10th January 2009

anonymous
non-member comment

take care ! miss you , hugh

13th January 2009

Otto Zequeira
non-member comment

Beautiful photos
Beautiful city.

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#110 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China ( HARBIN, Part 1: Ice & Snow Extravaganza, and St. Sofia Cathedral )

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