Hēilóngjiāng

10 fascinating facts about Harbin, China's ice festival city

An avalanche of visitors descends on Harbin for the annual Ice & Snow Festival. And it's well worth braving the cold: the sculptures are often record-breaking in size and night illuminations of the ice add a surreal kaleidoscope of colour to northeastern China's bitter winters (minus 13C on a good day).

But there are plenty more reasons to relish a visit to Harbin, capital of China's Heilongjiang province. From Russian architectural stylings in the city to Siberian tigers in its surrounds, these 10 facts are sure to pique your interest in China's ice festival city.

Travelling in China with your family: what to know and where to go

China may not spring immediately to mind when choosing a destination for a family trip, but the Middle Kingdom is full of places that suit families with children of all ages.

Many visitors underestimate how generally safe and easy it is to travel with a family in China. Most destinations are linked by direct flights, and trains and buses have reliable timetables, meaning getting from A to B with your menagerie might not be as stressful as you think.

Harbin International Ice & Snow festival: a guide to frozen sculpture appreciation in China

This is an excerpt from Lonely Planet's A Year of Festivals.