Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition is one of the 3 largest ice sculpture competitions in the world. The other two are the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA and Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition has been held in Zhaolin Park since 1985.  

Zhaolin Park is said to be the birthplace of the international ice sculpture competitions in China. It is also the venue of Harbin Ice Lantern Fair during the ice festival. The Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition is known as the largest one of its kind and enjoys very high reputation in the world. It is the only annually fix-held ice sculpture competition and has the most ice sculptors to participate in the world. To take part in the competition, all the sculptures must apply for the certificate from the sponsors before December. The sculptures are usually to be showed from early January through the end of February. The 29th Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition will be held in Zhaolin Park in early January, 2015.