Beijing's Longqing Gorge has been transformed into a shimmering winter wonderland as the 40th Ice Lantern Art Festival opened on January 15, 2026. This year's edition pays tribute to China's cultural heritage through intricate ice sculptures inspired by the beloved 1961 animated classic "The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven."
Artists have recreated iconic battle scenes and mythical landscapes from the legendary tale using 18,000 cubic meters of crystal-clear ice blocks. The festival's centerpiece – a 20-meter-tall ice sculpture of Sun Wukong wielding his golden staff – glows under synchronized LED lighting, creating an ethereal atmosphere in the frozen canyon.
Running through late February 2026, the event combines traditional ice lantern craftsmanship with modern temperature-controlled preservation technology. Nighttime visitors can explore illuminated ice mazes and slide down sculpted toboggan runs while daytime attendees enjoy ice carving workshops.
The festival coincides with Beijing's winter tourism push, offering discounted shuttle services from downtown hotels. Organizers expect to welcome over 500,000 visitors during its six-week run, with advance ticket sales already exceeding 2025's figures by 30%.
