SHANGRI-LA Hotel, Harbin and Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin have teamed up to introduce an “Absolute Ice” offer through Feb. 28 and celebrate Harbin as the ultimate winter getaway. To embrace the coldest months of China’s northeastern province, Heilongjiang, the hotels will also debut works of ice architecture hand-sculpted by local craftsmen. Set to become a popular meeting place among guests is Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin’s 12-seat Ice Lounge. Constructed from 63 cubic meters of ice blocks, the Ice Lounge is a specially designed and intimate area measuring approximately 16 square meters. It will be equipped with all-ice furniture, including an ice bar counter, ice coffee table and ice sofa, and installed with electricity to add to the experience. Hot beverages and alcoholic drinks will be served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Guests can also delve into the ice world at the hotels’ Ice Palace restaurant. Created from nearly 1,000 cubic meters of ice blocks — sourced from the nearby Songhua River — with white frosting-covered rooftops and colorful lights, guests can dine on hot pot in indoor temperatures of -10° Celsius. Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin’s Ice Palace covers 310 sqm and seats 148 diners, while the Ice Palace at Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin is slightly smaller at 210 sqm and accommodates 102 guests. Both Ice Palace restaurants will open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. For guests keen to explore Harbin’s silvery winter landscape, the location of Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin and Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin, on the south and north banks respectively, along the Songhua River makes getting around the city easy. The Ice and Snow World and International Snow Sculpture Expo on the north bank of the river, and Central Street, St. Sophia Cathedral and the Harbin Memorial Monument on the south bank of the river are within a 10-minute car ride from the hotels. Transforming the city into a winter wonderland is the Ice and Snow World, which is one of the world’s largest and most-Instagrammable winter destinations. It features a wide range of snow- and ice-related activities and parks, as well as an all-ice cartoon world with towering ice architecture, delicate ice sculptures, various games on ice and a dazzling ice show. Other popular Harbin winter sites include the International Ice Sculpture Expo, where there are majestic snow sculptures, and the Siberian Tiger Park, home to the rare and mighty big cat. When the day is at its darkest, guests can return to Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin for either Cantonese food at Shang Palace or an international buffet at Coffee Garden. Alternatively, diners may choose Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin for local food and Beijing Duck at Shang Kitchen or De Drunk’n Pig bar for a nightcap. The “Absolute Ice” offer starts from 3,199 yuan (US470) for two consecutive nights and includes a daily breakfast buffet for two persons’ dining credit per stay, shuttle bus service between Harbin’s scenic sites and the two Shangri-La hotels, as well as a winter care kit containing gloves, a cap, heating pads and more.(Tang Li) | 