Featuring incredible sculptures, the 2016 Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival officially opened its chilly gates on January 5.
32nd Harbin Ice Festival —
Featuring incredible sculptures, the 2016 Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival officially opened its chilly gates on January 5.
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Though visitors can check out the sculptures from as early as mid-December, the official opening ceremony -- complete with fireworks -- isn't usually held until January 5.
Opening ceremonies —
Though visitors can check out the sculptures from as early as mid-December, the official opening ceremony -- complete with fireworks -- isn't usually held until January 5.
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The best time to go is at night, when the sculptures are lit from the inside with LED lights.
Winter wonderland —
The best time to go is at night, when the sculptures are lit from the inside with LED lights.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
But it still looks pretty cool during the day, too.
Ice castle —
But it still looks pretty cool during the day, too.
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The festival's main attraction is the Ice and Snow World.
Ice and Snow World —
The festival's main attraction is the Ice and Snow World.
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"I bet I could whip up one of these at home." Many of the blocks used in the sculptures were made with ice taken from Harbin's frozen Songhua River.
Locally sourced ice —
"I bet I could whip up one of these at home." Many of the blocks used in the sculptures were made with ice taken from Harbin's frozen Songhua River.
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There's more to do than take photos. Festival activities include sledding, skating and even slides made out of ice.
Winter thrills —
There's more to do than take photos. Festival activities include sledding, skating and even slides made out of ice.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The annual event, which runs until the end of February depending on weather conditions, takes place in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
Northeast China —
The annual event, which runs until the end of February depending on weather conditions, takes place in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
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This year's festival theme is "Pearl on the Crown of Ice & Snow." Another highlight of the event is the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, which features elaborate creations made by local and international artists.
Snow Sculpture Art Expo —
This year's festival theme is "Pearl on the Crown of Ice & Snow." Another highlight of the event is the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, which features elaborate creations made by local and international artists.
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The festival's sculptures are mostly inspired by Chinese fairy tales and landmarks, though there are always a few global landmarks as well.
International influences —
The festival's sculptures are mostly inspired by Chinese fairy tales and landmarks, though there are always a few global landmarks as well.
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Over the years the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world.
World's coolest festival? —
Over the years the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world.
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That line you see there? Afraid you're not going to have the place to yourself. Over one million visitors are expected to attend this year's festival, say organizers.
Mingling with the masses —
That line you see there? Afraid you're not going to have the place to yourself. Over one million visitors are expected to attend this year's festival, say organizers.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The festival's magnificent sculptures required more than 330,000 cubic meters of ice and snow to create, according to<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.xinhuanet.com%2Fenglish%2F2016-01%2F01%2Fc_134970518.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank"> a report in Chinese media</a>.
The construction process —
The festival's magnificent sculptures required more than 330,000 cubic meters of ice and snow to create, according to a report in Chinese media.
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Harbin's cuisine and architecture are heavily influenced by its close proximity to Russia, which makes the festival a popular attraction for Russian tourists.
Snack stop —
Harbin's cuisine and architecture are heavily influenced by its close proximity to Russia, which makes the festival a popular attraction for Russian tourists.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Given it's known as China's "Ice City," you'd better believe Harbin's winters bring a bite. Average January daytime temperatures range from minus 13 to minus 23 Celsius.
Ice City —
Given it's known as China's "Ice City," you'd better believe Harbin's winters bring a bite. Average January daytime temperatures range from minus 13 to minus 23 Celsius.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images