Plan at a glance
A city park in summer and an ice-lantern venue in winter
Zhaolin Park is at 41 Senlin Street in Daoli District and was established in 1906. It contains the tomb of General Li Zhaolin and historic structures. During the winter Ice Lantern Festival, the park becomes a space for ice lanterns, ice sculptures and illuminated displays; in summer, the focus is trees, a lotus pond, lion-shaped grass sculptures and quiet paths.
A short stop, different from the large ice parks
Allow 30–60 minutes for the core area or 1–2 hours for a full walk. Zhaolin Park's ice lanterns and ice sculptures from the professional competition are different from the large paid outdoor park at Harbin Ice and Snow World, while park admission is free. The giant snowman at Music Park and the Songhua River ice activities are not fixed content here.
The park suits visitors interested in lantern art, photography, history and a quiet city break. In winter, use 15:30–16:00 as a useful arrival window to see the daytime sculptures, lighting and night scene in one visit. If warmer temperatures lead to maintenance or closure, follow the areas open that day.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Winter Ice Lantern Festival
The winter highlights are the Ice Lantern Festival and ice sculptures from the professional competition. Daylight shows the texture of the ice, carving details and outlines; after lighting, the focus shifts to colour, illumination and the park at night. The same work looks different in the two periods.
Free ice slides and other family facilities may operate, but opening, queues and safety rules follow the season. Ice sculptures are affected by temperature; warmer weather can lead to maintenance, reduced displays or a temporary pause, so read the seasonal notice before setting out.
Lion-shaped grass sculptures and garden paths in summer
Summer sights include the lion-shaped grass sculptures, lotus pond, Chinese pavilions, bridges and water features. The tomb of General Li Zhaolin fits naturally into the history section, and the paths work for a short walk. Treat the park as a stop within a Daoli District day rather than planning it like a large amusement park.
Photography by day and after lighting
The winter competition area, ice lanterns and garden lighting are the main photo subjects. Arriving around 16:00 can capture the change from daylight to illumination. In summer, photograph the lion-shaped grass sculptures, pavilions and lakeside bridges during the day according to light and crowd levels.
Use only permitted photography methods around the ice works. Do not cross barriers or touch sculptures. Winter paths may be icy; stand securely before framing a shot, and move a cold-drained phone or camera close to your body.
For another central-city walking stop, see Central Street.
Build your day
30–60-minute winter short route
Enter through the main Forest Street gate, follow the main path to the central area and view the main competition sculptures before moving to the illuminated area. If an ice slide or other facility is open, make a short stop without interrupting the main route, then leave by the original path or the signed exit.
1–2-hour winter full route
Enter between 15:30 and 16:00, first visit the tomb of General Li Zhaolin and the park's historic setting, then continue deeper into the park for the competition ice sculptures. After lighting around 16:00, return to the main works and open viewpoints for night photographs, then leave towards the main gate.
If warmer temperatures or closures affect part of the park, concentrate on the works and paths that remain open. The lighting, slides and display areas may change; completing the main display is more useful than chasing every temporary facility.
1–2-hour summer walk
Enter through the main Forest Street gate, see the tomb of General Li Zhaolin, then follow the main path past the lion-shaped grass sculptures, lotus pond and Huixian Hall before finishing by a pavilion or the lake. The summer route focuses on greenery, water and history and can connect with walks around Central Street and the cathedral.
Summer hours are currently listed as about 10:00–21:30. For a daytime walk, avoid the midday heat; evening access to the park does not mean every building or shop is open. Leave towards Forest Street or the metro station.
Get there
Metro and bus
Take Metro Line 3 to Zhaolin Park Station and use Exit 1; the park is about 170 metres away. Bus routes 8, 12, 16, 24, 56, 64, 83, 94, 101, 103, 118 and 206 stop at Zhaolin Park or City Children's Hospital.
Driving
There are car parks near the park, but spaces may be tight. Use public transport first on weekends, holidays and during the Ice Lantern Festival. The car park may not be beside the Forest Street entrance, so include the walk back to the car in the winter departure plan.
Connect with a Daoli walking route
Zhaolin Park is near Central Street, Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Flood Control Monument. You can visit the cathedral interior first and walk through the street to the park, or place the park after Central Street. Its ice-lantern tickets, hours and activities are separate from Harbin Ice and Snow World and Music Park.
Know before you go
Winter weather and lantern conditions
The Ice Lantern Festival is affected by temperature, construction and maintenance. Warmer conditions may melt sculptures, change the display or lead to a temporary closure. Winter hours around 10:00–21:00 and lighting around 16:00 are current guide times; confirm the seasonal notice before leaving.
Paths may be icy, so wear shoes with good grip and keep children with an adult around ice slides and sculptures. Do not touch sculptures, climb barriers or block a passage in front of a work. Move cold-drained phones and cameras back close to your body.
Tickets, crowds and nearby food
Before leaving, confirm whether the seasonal Ice Lantern Festival is operating, the lighting window, ice slides and other facilities, the park entrance and path conditions. Plan Zhaolin Park's free lantern experience separately from Harbin Ice and Snow World's paid outdoor park, Music Park's seasonal snowman and Songhua River ice activities.