Harbin, China - Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

snow and Ice festival
Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

In frigid northeastern China, in the city of Harbin is hosting its 26th annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Massive buildings built of ice from the frozen surface of the nearby Songhua River, large scale snow sculptures, ice slides, festival food and drinks can be found in several parks in the city. At night, visitors who endure the bitter cold will see the lights switched on, illuminating the sculptures from both inside and outside. This year's festival opened yesterday, January 5th, and will remain open until some time in February. Collected here are several photos from just before the festival, and of the opening night.

A worker shapes a snow sculpture of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong

Swimmin in the Songhua River during winter in Harbin, China

Couples participate in a group wedding ceremony in front of a snow sculpture of Beijing's Temple of Heaven in Harbin
The wedding was organized by the city government and 28 couples participated in the ceremony