It’s an icy highlight right at the beginning of the year: the Ice Festival in Harbin. Its origins lie in Harbin’s traditional lantern shows and garden parties, which have been held annually in winter since 1963. In the meantime, the festival has become highly professionalized and takes place on Sun Island, an area a few minutes away from the city. There, more than 12,000 workers create a colorful world of ice and snow at around minus 20 degrees. The festival doesn’t officially start until January 5. But it’s so beautiful that it’s hard to wait.