China - Harbin

In the morning we visit the snow sculpture festival at Taiyangdao Island (Sun Island) Park. There are many sculptures to see; although we come before the official opening of the festival which begins on January 5.

The masterpiece of this year is this huge Santa Claus.

Want to ride the dog sledge or not???

Making snow blocks for craving.

A craftsman provides a Final touch to the exposition.

We decide to walk across the frozen SongHua river back to the city and stop by to see the fishing.

The river also becomes the playground for playing a kite.

The roadside is plied up with ice blocks for a small ice latern along the street. Don’t worry if it can’t be finished in one day, the ice would just stand there and no worry for the melting.

In the afternoon we go back to the Island one more time for the Ice Lantern Snow Festival.

The Chartres Cathedral (France) France is the host the host country of the 1th winter Universiade. And this Cathedral is its national representative structure.
The icy duplication here is 34 meters high.

The icy duplication of the Church of the Holy Cross (Poland) – 18 meters high.

The Triple pagoda, East Yueshi Temple (Japan). Japan is the host country of the 15th winter Universiade. And this pagoda is its national representative structure. The icy duplication here is 24 meters high.

Sergovia Castle (Spain). Spain is the host country of the 10th, 17th winter Universiade. And this Castle is its national representative structure. The icy duplication here is 23.6 meters high.

Would you like to play the Chess game?

Don’t know what he/she is.

This duplication from Czech is 31 meters high.

Wouldn’t they be freezing riding out there?

Finally we have to stop by and have a hot tea drink – just to get a heater inside to warm our numb hands and feet.

Flame Castle is the giant icy architecture with 46.3 meters high.

Avalokitesvara snow sculpture.

And that would be all for today.

China - Jilin & Harbin

In the morning we go out to watch the "Wusong" (แม่คะนิ้ง) along the Songhua river.

From China Lonely Planet : The phenomenon is a result of the Hydroelectric Station nearby. Built by the Japanese, disassembled by the Russians and then reassembeled by the Chinese, this station now fuels three large chemical plants. Water passing from artificial Songhua Hu through the power plant becomes a warm, steamy current that merges with Songhua Jiang and prevents it from freezing. Vapour rising from the river overnight meets the -20 C air temperature, causing the display.

We then board the bus to Harbin in Heilongjiang province, the northernmost area. We are greatly thankful for the hospitality and assistant recived from Brian; otherwise our trip would not go smoothly.

In Harbin, after checking in at the hotel, the first place that we visit is at Zhongyang Street, a walking street.

At the end of the street is the Flood Control Monument, then the Songhua river which is now freezing. There are many activities for you to choose around there: horse-drawn sleigh rides, icy slide.

On the way back to the hotel after our feet and hands are no longer function we pass the small ice lantern at Zhaolin Park. This year is the Disney theme.

China - Jilin

After serveral changing in plan, we finally decide to fly to Changchun in the northern part of China first. We then take an airport shuttle bus to Jilin, a city nearby where our friend, Brian, is waiting for us at the Jilin Medical College.

We have a small new year eve party at his apartment.

TISCO New Year Party

TISCO holds a new year party for staffs at Bangkok Convention Hall - Ladprao with the theme of "แฝดคนละฝา ท้าให้เหมือน".