Beijing Longqing Gorge (Longqingxia) is best known in winter for its outdoor gallery of massive blocks of ice carved into animals and figures of all shapes and sizes. When illuminated at night they create one of those rare must-see-to-experience visuals. The mountains around the gorge will also be illuminated, forming a lighting Great Wall - a beautiful background for the Ice Lantern Wonderland in the middle basin. Performances and toboggan add to the festival's fun. Longqing' s winter wonderland will never quite match the famous ice sculpture festival in Harbin for scale or beauty. However, it is a fun option for families who want to spend the day somewhere close, cheap and more comfortable than biting Harbin.

It starts from mid January till mid of February, but with yearly temperatures rising, the festival's window is getting smaller, so make sure you call ahead to check exact dates if you go on your own. This winter is the 24th Ice Sculpture & Lantern Festival. Over 400 ice sculptures made by both Chinese and foreign artists are exhibited there. Minority ethnic songs and dances are presented on the central stage.

Distance: 80 kilometers (56 miles) north of Beijing center.
Drive time: 1.5-2 hours
Admission fee: RMB 100
Toboggan: RMB 20
How to get there: Badaling Expressway (past the Badaling Great Wall exit), Yanqing district, Beijing (6919 1020)