Written by Natalia |
Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow FestivalĀ has been acclaimed as the Little Harbin of Beijing. It is one of the must-visit places for your Beijing winter tour. This China Ice Festival demonstrates a spectacular ice-made castle, the landscape carved by giant colorful lights and the magical characters. What a dreamlike and illusory ice and snow fairyland.
Compared with Harbin, Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow FestivalĀ enjoys convenient transportation. It is easily accessible from the urban area of Beijing and you do not have to travel far to Northeast China. Moreover, this festival ingeniouslyĀ combines the grandeur of northern ice sculptures and its own unique mountain and water artistic. The ice lanterns sit against steep gorges and frozen lakes. Therefore, the tourists can both appreciate the ice and the beauty of natural mountains and waters. This article guides you to this festival for more detailed information.
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- Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow Festival at a Glance
- Top Things to Do and See at the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival
- Planning Your Trip: Logistics & Best Time to Visit
- Day Trip Ideas
- Is It Worth It? Longqing Gorge vs. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
- Practical Beijing Winter Travel Tips
- FAQs about Longqiang Gorge Ice and Snow Festival
- Plan Your Beijing Winter Tour with China Xian Tour
Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow Festival at a Glance
- Location: Longqing Gorge Scenic Area, Yanqing District, Beijing
- Opening Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ( Chinese New Year: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
- Price: 156 CNY.
- Best Time to Visit: Enter the park during 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Main Theme Areas:
- Ice lantern area: the core area with highlights of large-scale colorful ice lantern groups, theme light shows, and dreamy castles.
- Ice sculpture area: exquisite ice sculptures featuring figures, animals, and themes.
- Glacier gorge area: spectacular glacier landscape.
Top Things to Do and See at the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival
The Grand Ice Lantern and Sculpture Display
Ice lanterns and sculptures are the core areas of the festival. Grand architectural complexes are carved fromĀ thousands of cubic meters of natural ice. Each year, it revolves around a core theme, such as the Ode to the Winter Olympics, the Fantasy Fairy Tale Castle, and Interstellar Travel. You can travel through the meters-high ice towers, the continuous ice Great Wall, the magnificent ice castles and the huge ice slides.
Colorful lights are embedded in the ice, emitting brilliant and soft colors. Some areas are set with audio-visual interactive devices. The colors of the lights can change with your footsteps and sounds. The snow sculptures are featured with large volume, smooth lines, and pure white texture. You can see the landmark buildings like the Temple of HeavenĀ and the Great Wall, auspicious totems like dragonsĀ and phoenixes, zodiac themes and cartoon characters.
Thrilling Winter Activities
Giant Ice Slide
It is the most popular and iconic activity of the festival. The hundreds of meters-long slide is made of natural ice. You can sit on tires and slide along the crystal-clear ice grooves at high speed. It is a thrilling experience surroundedĀ by the cold wind. The slide will travel through the colorful ice sculpture area and sparkle on both sides, forming light tracks and a unique visual impact.
Ice Cycling
You can ride a specially designed ice bicycle in the flat and open frozen lakesĀ or river areas. The tires of this bicycle have been replaced with ice skates and a stabilizing bracket, which is safe and funny.
Ice Bumper Car
The festival provides electric ice bumper carsĀ within a specific area. The tourists collide and spin with each other.
The Iconic Ice Waterfall
The ice waterfall is the soul of the festival. Numerous waterfalls stream down the Longjiang Gorge in summer and after winter arrives, those waterfalls freeze day by day because of the low temperature. Finally, huge ice curtains, icicles, and ice shoots come into being and attach to the steep limestone cliffs. The ice waterfall plunges down from the 70-meter-high dam and the ice flowers and icicles complement each other, showing a breathtaking scene.
Evening Drone Shows and Light Displays
The drone shows and light displays turn the winter gorge into a surreal and dynamic universe of light and shadow. The performance often revolves around anĀ annual theme and offers a complete audio-visual story. Lights, music, and drones are closely coordinated, leading tourists onĀ a wonderful journey.
Tens of thousands of LED lights are set into ice sculptures and snow sculptures. The static ice buildings seem to come into life and pulsate with music. The drones transform into dragons, phoenixes, and snowflakes in the night sky, creating a 360-degree immersive environment.
Planning Your Trip: Logistics & Best Time to Visit
Getting There: Transportation Guide
Public Bus
It is the most economicalĀ method. You should take the Bus No. 919 at Deshengmen Station and get off at Yanqing Dongguan Station. It takes about 1.5 hours. Then you can take Bus Y43 and get off at Longqing Gorge Station. It takes about 30 minutes.
You should pay attention to the last bus time, which often closes at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Related reading: Beijing Transportation Guide
Self-driving or Chartered Car
It is the fastest and most flexible method. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours from the urban areas of Beijing when there is no traffic jam. You can set your destination as the Parking Lot of Longqing Gorge Scenic Area in the navigational aids. There is a large parking lot in the scenic area. But we highly recommend that you shouldĀ set off as early as possible because the parking space is tight during the festival.
You can get charter car service on some travel platforms and it is suitable for group travel. The fee is about 600 to 1000 CNY. Self-drivingĀ and chartered car offer flexible time. You can arrange your departure and return time at your own will and it is highly recommended if you want a night tour. But in winter, expressways in the mountainous area may be temporarily controlled due to the weather condition. So remember to check the road conditionsĀ before departure.
Joining a Tour with Vehicle Included
This most worry-free method is booking a Beijing tourĀ with a reliable travel agency, such as China Xian Tour. Then, you donāt bother to plan the transportation and purchase tickets with package tour.Ā The Longqing Gorge is near to the famous Badaling Great Wall, you can also customize a trip combining the Great Wall and the festival.
Recommended tour
When is the Best Time to Go?
Best Time for Experience
The usual lighting time is often from 17:30 to 18:00, which is subject to the sunset time. It lasts until 9 p.m. It is highly recommended to arrive at the park at 5 p.m. so that you can capture the silhouette of the ice sculptures at dusk. You can also seize the initiative and take a picture of the ice lantern before the crowd rushes in.
The drone performance or specific light show often starts between 19:00 to 20:00. You need to pay attention to the announcement of the scenic area and choose the best viewing position in advance.
Best Months for the Festival
The ice sculptures and ice lanterns are completed in the middle and late January. It is the best time because the lighting is adjusted, the facilities are in a stable period, and the number of tourists is relatively smaller than that during the Chinese New Year.
Mid-February is a perfect time when the Chinese New YearĀ hasĀ just finished. The ice and snow scenery remains in good condition and the weather is warm. It is a comfortable time for touring.
Practical Tips for Avoiding the Crowd
- Avoid the New Yearās Day from January 1stĀ to 3rd and the Chinese New Year from Lunar New Yearās Eve to theĀ 7thĀ day of the first lunar month.
- Tuesday to Thursday is the best choice.
- Book tickets in advance online to avoid queuing on the spot.
Accommodation Near Longqing Gorge
The top choice for accommodation is the Yanqing district. It offers complete supporting facilities for dining, shopping, and transportation. The choice can be various and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for driving to Longqing Gorge. If you rely on public transportation and seek convenience and cost-effectiveness, it is the best choice.
There are also hotels near the Longqing Gorge Scenic Area. Some of them are only a few minutesā walk away from the scenic spots. It is suitable for tourists who want a quick rest after a night tour or who want to experience the tranquility of the village.
Related reading: Where to Stay in Beijing
Day Trip Ideas
Longqing Gorge Ice &Snow Festival offers the best ice and snow experience no matter it is a tight 0ne-day trip or a leisurely two-day trip. Here are some itinerary ideas for different needs.
Itinerary 1: A One-day Tour
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Departure from the urban area of Beijing.
Take Bus No. 919 at Deshengmen Station, transfer to Y43 at Yanqing Dongguan Station, and get off at Longqing Gorge.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Arrive at Longqing Gorge Scenic Area and have lunch near the scenic area.
- 13:00 p.m. to 16:30 p.m.: Day tour at Longqing Gorge for natural waterfall, ice and snow sculptures, and ice slide.
- 17:00 p.m. to 18:30 p.m.: Night tour for light performance. If you take a public bus, you should consider a return trip.
Itinerary 2: A Two-day Tour in Yanqing
- Day 1: Longqing Gorge Scenic Area
You can depart from the urban area of Beijing in the morning and arrive at the scenic area at noon. From afternoon to night, you can fully immerse yourself into the beautiful landscape of the festival. Remember to book a hotel in advance in Yanqing district.
- Day 2: Tour nearby attractions
If you prefer nature and history, you can travel to Badaling Great WallĀ for the snow-covered view and the long-history old town.
If you prefer leisure activities, Badaling Ski Resort is suitable for skiing. In the afternoon, you can try the hot spring to relax and relieve the cold and fatigue.
Yongning Ancient Town at Yanqing offers special delicacies like tofu banquet. In the afternoon, you can visit the Wild Duck Lake for a winter view.
Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Beijing in Winter
Itinerary 3: Family Tour
If you carry with children and the elderly, you can depart from Beijing in the afternoon and have a rest at the hotel. It is recommended that you travel around the Longqing Gorge by the noon of the next day.
For family tour, you should avoid the public bus and arrange at least two days. You can find out the hot drink stations in advance and book an electric sightseeing vehicle for the elderly.
Recommended tour
Is It Worth It? Longqing Gorge vs. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Why Choose Longqing Gorge?
It is cost effective because you only need a ticket and a small amount of transportation fee, compared with the high cost of transportation and accommodation in Harbin. Moreover, the area is near Beijing downtown, which means tourists can make a round trip in one day.
Longqing Gorge provides natural steep canyons and frozen rivers. The ice lanterns and sculptures are not placed in isolation but sit among the cliffs and rivers.
Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow Festival vs. Harbin Ice & Snow Festival
The Ice and Snow Festival in HarbinĀ has unparalleled scale and international-level ice buildings. If you have sufficient holidays and budget, it is the top choice. However, if you have limited time or budget, Longqing Gorge is a perfect alternative. With only one day and several hundred yuan, you can enjoy a high-quality winter feastĀ from BeijingĀ thatĀ combines natural landscapes and ice and snow art.
Other Ice Festivals & Winter Activities Near Beijing
Name |
Location |
Key Features |
Shichahai Ice Rink |
Xicheng District, Beijing |
Old-Beijing winter pastimes (ice bikes, skating) amidst a unique historical and cultural atmosphere. |
Birdās Nest Happy Ice & Snow Season |
Olympic Park, Beijing |
Skiing, skating, and snow play.
Family-friendly. |
Beijing Expo Park Ice & Snow Carnival |
Yanqing District, Beijing |
Large snow slides, snow playgrounds, and ice activities. |
Nangong Hot Spring Ice & Snow Park |
Fengtai District, Beijing |
The idealĀ āHot Spring + Snow Funā combo. |
Practical Beijing Winter Travel Tips
What to Pack & Wear
It is highly recommended to wear quick-drying thermal underwear and a thickened windproof down jacket. For the lower part of the body, you should wear thermal long johns and waterproof and windproof ski pants. The shoes should be high-top, waterproof, and anti-slip. Caps, warm paste, gloves, and scarfs are necessary.
Cold Weather Photography Tips
Remember to fully charge all batteries. When entering a warm room, you should put your camera and mobile phone into a sealed bag. Otherwise, the water droplets inside the device may cause a short circuit. You can also stick a warm paste at the back of the device to extend the usage.
Where to Eat Nearby
Yanqing district is a good choice for delicacies. One of the most famous street foodsĀ is Huoshao. The crispy crust encloses the smoked meats and vegetables. Yongning tofu banquet is also famous. You can taste the tofu pudding, fried tofu, and tofu balls. Winter is a perfect season for stove fish. The fresh fish is slowly stewed in an iron pot.
FAQs about Longqiang Gorge Ice and Snow Festival
When does the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival start and end?
From early January to late February.
Is the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival worth a special trip from Beijing?
Yes. The ice lanterns, ice and snow sculptures, and the natural landscapes complete each other, providing a unique background.
How much are Longqing Gorge Ice Festival tickets?
156 CNYĀ per person.
What are the main differences between Longqing Gorge and Harbin Ice Festival?
Harbin Ice Festival is the largest and the most extravagant festival and the Longqing Gorge is the most convenient and unique one.
Can I visit Longqing Gorge during the day or only at night?
Yes. But it is highly recommended to visit both during the day and at night because they have different scenery.
Plan Your Beijing Winter Tour with China Xian Tour
You can not miss the Longqing Gorge Ice & Snow Festival. It is not just a scenic spot but a winter wonder in Beijing. Imagine yourself in a glittering ice gorge surrounded by colorful sculptures and tranquil frozen scenery. What a magnificent fairy tale world.
Prepare your Longqing Gorge tour with China Xian Tour. We can customize the itinerary at your needs and provide professional tour guide. We can also arrange other winter experiences in Beijing. Letās stroll along the snow-covered Great Wall, taste the authentic winter flavors, and use our expertise to craft you the best Beijing winter tour.
